The Legendary 1984 Moscow Concert

Frederic Chopin (Composer), Dmitri Kitayenko (Conductor), Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Evgeny Kissin (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Evgeny Kissin
• Orchestra: Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Dmitri Kitayenko
• Composer: Frederic Chopin
• Audio CD (October 10, 1995)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003G0D
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #111,536 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #13 in	Music > Classical > Featured Performers, A-Z > ( K ) > Kissin, Evgeni
  #18 in	Music > Classical > Featured Performers, A-Z > ( M ) > Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

Track Listings

1. Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11, CT. 47: Allegro maestoso

2. Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11, CT. 47: Romance

3. Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11, CT. 47: Rondo

4. Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21, CT. 48: Maestoso

5. Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21, CT. 48: Larghetto

6. Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21, CT. 48: Allegro vivace

7. Mazurka for piano No. 40 in F minor, Op. 63/2, CT. 90

8. Mazurka for piano No. 49 in F minor, Op. 68/4, CT. 99

9. Waltz for piano in E minor, KK IVa/15, CT. 222 (B. 56)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Recorded live at the Moscow Conservatory, this is a truly legendary performance. Any experienced veteran could be proud of it; that a boy of 12 should possess the necessary technique, the musical understanding and maturity, and the sustained concentration, is almost beyond belief. Reveling in his own limitless virtuosity, Kissin seems to be playing with--as well as on--the piano with elfin grace and delicacy; yet his command of the keyboard--his warm, singing, powerful, varied tone--are only tools for expressing his spontaneous response to the music. Chopin's piano concertos are both popular favorites, but the first is more melodious, lyrical, and ingratiating. Kissin obviously delights in its dreamy poetry, exuberance, and mischievous wit, but also has an innate feeling for the dark, foreboding melancholy of the somber, dramatic second one, whose many virtuoso passages he dispatches with stunning ease. The rhythms sparkle, the melodies soar, and perhaps most remarkably, the phrasing, liberties, and transitions have a perfectly balanced, natural poise that is rare even among seasoned performers. There are three short Chopin pieces as encores. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

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

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.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here is the BEST EVER., April 8, 2001

By	V. Robin "Melodyy" (Taylors, SC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable recording, April 17, 2002

By	Claus Hetting (Gentofte, Copenhagen Denmark) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.