Performer: Evgeny Kissin
Composer: Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: RCA Victor Red Seal
Size: 178 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Fantasy Op. 17 in C: Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschaftlich vorzutragen
02. Fantasy Op. 17 in C: Mäßig: Durchaus energisch
03. Fantasy Op. 17 in C: Langsam getragen: Durchweg leise zu halten
04. Études d’exécution transcendante: Chasse-neige (No. 12)
05. Études d’exécution transcendante: Harmonies du soir (No. 11)
06. Études d’exécution transcendante: In F Minor (No. 10)
07. Études d’exécution transcendante: Feux follets (No. 5)
08. Études d’exécution transcendante: Wilde Jagd (No. 8)
Superb Transcendental Etudes
Kissin does not disappoint on this disc. Other reviewers seem to have focused largely on the Schumann piece, so I instead shall focus on the Liszt etudes.
Kissin for the most part gives limpid, impassioned playings of all of the etudes on this disc. Perhaps in Harmonies du Sour, one gets the feeling that Kissin pedals a bit too much; even so, his performance there is exceptional.
As for the other pieces, his Feux Follets is something at which to marvel. The speed, accuracy, pacing, dynamics, and phrasing are all outstanding. Kissin’s playing of this piece alone justifies one’s buying this CD. I should go so far as to call his performance definitive.
Kissin’s performance of this selection of trascendentals is the best that I have hitherto heard. Although I enjoyed Arrau’s version of these pieces too, one might say that Arrau’s technical ability stalls at the point at which Kissin’s takes off. Similarly, with Richter’s performance of Feux Follets and Harmonies du Sour, one is keenly aware of the limit of Richter’s
bravura, whereas with Kissin, one is left to wonder whether such a limit even exists.
Thank you!!