Evgeny Kissin: Beethoven, Franck, Brahms

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
A wizard of technical control since his prodigy days, Kissin simply uses this as a foundation to probe the depths of such core repertory items as the ones on this collection. It takes a truly subtle musicality and grasp to make the endlessly recorded Moonlight sound fresh, but Kissin has the goods, pulling the carpet from underneath and making you really notice, with his unsentimental, steady tempo, how unsettling Beethoven's harmonic fluctuations are in a first movement of startling inwardness. Kissin allows the middle minuet to blossom within the sonata's larger nightscape, while he pushes the finale's cri de coeur to its heaven-storming edge. He likewise traces the late-19th-century gothic labyrinth of Franck's Prelude, Choral et Fugue with an absorbing blend of delicacy and power. But the real highlight of this disc is the gloriously brilliant intensity Kissin brings to the Brahms Paganini Variations. Listen to how he parades a dizzying, dazzling series of moods--from caressing introspection and bone-crunching, steely chords to the giddy cross-rhythms of Book II, Variation 7--to match Brahms's magnitude of invention. This is pianism of the first order. --Thomas May

Evgeny Kissin: Beethoven, Franck, Brahms, Music, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Cesar Franck, Evgeny Kissin, Chamber Music & Recitals, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Keyboard, Prelude and Fugue for Keyboard, Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard, Romantic Variations for Keyboard
Evgeny Kissin: Beethoven, Franck, Brahms
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Perfection dimmed, but there's still much to enjoy
  • the brahms is truely a pleasure
  • Great memory of recital with some of these works
  • Fascinating
  • Phenomenal!
 Evgeny Kissin: Beethoven, Franck, Brahms

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by BeethovenAll Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by BrahmsAll Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Franck, César | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
FuguesFugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
SonatinasSonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
Kissin, EvgeniKissin, Evgeni | ( K ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Classical MusicClassical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Classical Instrumental MusicClassical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Chopin: 24 Preludes, Op. 28; Sonata for Piano No. 2, Op. 35; Polonaise, Op. 53
  2. Schubert: Piano Sonata in B-flat; Schubert-Liszt: Four Songs; Liszt: Mephisto
  3. Carnegie Hall Debut Concert
  4. Chopin: The Four Ballades, Berceuse, Barcarolle, Scherzo No. 4
  5. Chopin, Volume 1

ASIN: B0000064YB
Release Date: 1998-03-10

Tracks:

  1. Sonata Op. 27 No. 2 'Moonlight' in C Sharp: Adagio sostenuto
  2. Sonata Op. 27 No. 2 'Moonlight' in C Sharp: Allegretto
  3. Sonata Op. 27 No. 2 'Moonlight' in C Sharp: Presto agitato
  4. Prelude, choral et fugue: Prelude
  5. Prelude, choral et fugue: Choral
  6. Prelude, choral et fugue: Fugue
  7. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Theme
  8. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation I
  9. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation II
  10. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation III
  11. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation IV
  12. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation V
  13. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation VI
  14. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation VII
  15. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation VIII
  16. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation IX
  17. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation X
  18. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation XI
  19. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation XII
  20. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book1: Variation XIII
  21. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation XIV
  22. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Book II/ Variation I
  23. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation II
  24. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation III
  25. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation IV
  26. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation V
  27. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation VI
  28. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation VII
  29. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation VIII
  30. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation IX
  31. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation X
  32. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation XI
  33. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation XII
  34. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation XIII
  35. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation XIV

Amazon.com essential recording

A wizard of technical control since his prodigy days, Kissin simply uses this as a foundation to probe the depths of such core repertory items as the ones on this collection. It takes a truly subtle musicality and grasp to make the endlessly recorded Moonlight sound fresh, but Kissin has the goods, pulling the carpet from underneath and making you really notice, with his unsentimental, steady tempo, how unsettling Beethoven's harmonic fluctuations are in a first movement of startling inwardness. Kissin allows the middle minuet to blossom within the sonata's larger nightscape, while he pushes the finale's cri de coeur to its heaven-storming edge. He likewise traces the late-19th-century gothic labyrinth of Franck's Prelude, Choral et Fugue with an absorbing blend of delicacy and power. But the real highlight of this disc is the gloriously brilliant intensity Kissin brings to the Brahms Paganini Variations. Listen to how he parades a dizzying, dazzling series of moods--from caressing introspection and bone-crunching, steely chords to the giddy cross-rhythms of Book II, Variation 7--to match Brahms's magnitude of invention. This is pianism of the first order. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Perfection dimmed, but there's still much to enjoy.......2006-03-18

By the time this CD came out in 1997, the musical world was hanging on to every note played by Kissin, a prodigy and a genius above reproach. Then everyone's collective heart sank as the Moonlight sonata unfolded in a plodding, uninspired way--for the first time perfection was dimmed. Sadly enough, it has continued to. Kissin's talent shines by fits and starts now.

On this CD the Beethoven must be passed over with some embarrassment, but the Franck is compelling and the Brahms, as everyone else has noted, is superb. Over the years Kissin's interpretation of Schubert and Schumann, once two of his best composers, has begn to suffer from coarseness, and his once incomparable Chopin has turned to grandstanding. Luckily, we have many earlier recitals to enjoy, and one hopes there will be a return to greatness from this unique musician.

4 out of 5 stars the brahms is truely a pleasure.......2003-07-13

i agree with many of the other reviewer that the brahms variations are very special and real treat at the hands of kissin. the paganini variations are also well recorded by an artist named Ivo Janssen along with some other equally fine variations by brahms in case you are looking for an all brahms album(i am not sure if that cd is still in print)

4 out of 5 stars Great memory of recital with some of these works.......2002-02-17

Just showing off really: Kissin played the Franck a few years ago in a recital in Rotterdam and ovewhelmed his audience with his rich, mature interpretation. And I managed to visit him afterwards in his artist-room where he was very shy but charming in his reaction to the praise he received.
This recordings ddoes such memries complete justice, even is the Beethoven is unusually mediocre for Kissins level. But who's complaining?

5 out of 5 stars Fascinating.......2001-01-15

Evgeny Kissing is one a young Piano genius. In this cd you will find a deep Beethoven, Franck and Brahms. To each of those three pieces Kissing brings his own ideas, virtuosity and a clear and sharp sound (very sharp for a recording!) of his piano. therefor one can expect to get here an intelectual advanture.

A very recomanded cd.

5 out of 5 stars Phenomenal!.......2000-05-11

For many, this recording would be a revelation: the storm of emotions in Moonlight puts Kissin's account in a class of its own, the subtle intensity of Franck's Prelude, Choral and Fugue comes across as a colorful singing narrative, and Brahms's staggering Variations on a Theme of Paganini finally get the involvement and attention they deserve. Kissin is a poet at the piano, but his technique is beyond words - he uses incredible accuracy and tonal clarity as a supporting means of expression. The name that comes to mind of a pianist that possessed this kind of combination is Sviatoslav Richter, however Kissin engages in even more interpretative ventures, making his versions immediately unique.

This CD is a definite jewel; even if you have these pieces on other recordings, I would still recommend you get this one. Interestingly, I think, the program here was arranged with intent. After Beethoven's Presto Agitato literally "shakes your world" one is ready for reflective, sophisticated Franck. And then Brahms's heart stopping Paganini variation will send you on a journey through the world of cascading melodies and intriguing and even whimsical twists and turns. This CD is guarantees to provide hours of listening enjoyment, for every time you play it, there will be something previously undiscovered waiting for you. RCA did a fantastic job of recording: the sound is real and spacious.

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