Release Date: 07/29/2008
Run Time: 132:57

One cannot think of pianist Evgeny Kissin without contemplating his remarkable beginnings as a child prodigy. No ordinary prodigy, mind you, but one who began playing the piano at the age of two and who was enrolled in a conservatory by the age of six. What is equally admirable as his auspicious beginning is the way he has maintained his level of intensity and relevance into artistic maturity. In some ways, The Essential Evgeny Kissin detracts from Kissin's maturity and depth of musical understanding that he now commands. The two-disc set leans heavily toward the virtuosic. While Kissin is able to toss off even the most nimble passages with ease and wade through dense, powerful chordal scoring with powerful confidence, listeners of this set don't get as many opportunities to hear his powers of introspection. That being said, listeners in the market for a true demonstration of Kissin's vast technical abilities will not be disappointed. The jaw-dropping intensity of Stravinsky's three movements from Petrouchka alone is enough to mesmerize audiences. The various pieces are drawn from performances from as far back as 1988. As such, the sound quality varies greatly throughout the album. Often, the piano's lower end comes across as weak and thin. ~ Mike D. Brownell, All Music Guide

Be the first to review this product!

Release Date: 07/29/2008
Run Time: 132:57