Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Here is the BEST EVER., April 7, 2001
This review is from: Legendary 1984 Moscow Concert / Chopin Piano Ctos (Audio CD)
As I listened to this recording, I held back tears, shook my head, put my head in my hands, closed my eyes, then opened them and stared at the photo on the front of the album, trying to reconcile the picture of the boy with the slender arms and rounded cheeks with the power I heard. His left hand plays with the power of a strong adult, his right hand plays with the fleetness, accuracy and nuances of a top-flight pianist. But his technique is not the whole story. Kissin, even at the age of 12, plays with a coherence that I don't remember hearing from any other pianist of any age. He does not play phrase by phrase, or even movement by movement; it is all one story. It is the first CD I've listened to over and over without tiring of it. With each hearing, I discover new things that take my breath away: the way his left hand plays these difficult turns, the expressive dynamics that maintain perfect control, the delicacy here, the power there, and so on. After hearing this CD, I plan to purchase at least one Kissin CD per month until I have them all.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Legendary Performance...well, it is good!, July 2, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Legendary 1984 Moscow Concert / Chopin Piano Ctos (Audio CD)
As an amateur pianist myself, I have enormous respect for professional musicians, having played many of the same pieces that they play. In the case of this recording, I have enormous respect for a mere boy of 12 years who is performing 2 (yes 2!) of the most challenging concertos in existence. To make it all worse he is doing it well! Though Kissin's 12 year old recording lack's the developed maturity - and passion - that he brought to the performance of the same pieces in Lincoln Center for his American Debut,it is a remarkable achievement for a 12 year old, and one of the reasons I recommend this recording so highly. The other reason - it's just a plain good recording. Though Argerich's recording, recenty re-released, is certainly more interesting, I would say that this recording is a must own, because of the sheer technical wizadry that Kissin displays as a 12 year old. Also, in the less romantic movements (the non-largo movements, i.e. stay out of movement #2 in both Concertos) Kissin's youthful enthusiam brings interesting color that deserves a listen. This is a must own recording...if for no other reason than to stare at the little boy so obviously in command of the piano on the jacket cover and gasp in amazement.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A remarkable recording, April 17, 2002
This review is from: Legendary 1984 Moscow Concert / Chopin Piano Ctos (Audio CD)
Although perhaps not the artistically most striking interpretation, this record is outstanding, really for two reasons: The recording technique is excellent, you really feel as if you were sitting in the concert hall, and secondly, the slightly naive but straight-to-the-point playing of Mr. Kissin. Despite the fact that I am not a fan of his recent recordings, this one (especially the first concerto) is enormously satisfying.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|