Piano Forum
Piano Board => Performance => Topic started by: chuyerik on January 31, 2005, 05:49:33 AM
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Just any general thoughts about him. How he compare to the rest of the world in whatever aspects you choose to discuss about him, for example. Or how about in comparison to this pianist I've heard of... I believe his name was Ling Ling or Lang Lang or something like that.
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HE IS SIMPLY AMAZING.
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I find his name frightening. It vaguely sounds like a porn star.
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Hi
I've seen Kissin perform on several occasions in the UK. Simply repeating what has been said by many before: his playing is rather empty of emotion and this probably relates to his upbringing and lack of secure relationships with fellow human beings.
My teacher was a pupil Kissins teacher in Switzerland and met him at several New Years parties. He said that Kissin was "a lovely boy" but impossible to get to know on a personal level. It's not as though Kissin is married either!!
I have no intention of being rude, but surely Argerich, and others, have a greater handle on the emotion side of pianoforte playing.
Andrew
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I don't like him at all! And jeeze, I wonder why he isn't married...
haha. Im back BTW and the finger is feeling fine.
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I read a very interesting article/review on Kissin where they analysed his lack of success under critics. Eg. When Kissin plays slowly, he's being boring and acting (emphasis on ACTING)mature; When Richter plays slowly, he is considered thoughtful and fresh. When Kissin plays fast it's reckless and void of emotion; Richter's fast playing is met with comments of virtuosity and genius. I personally love Kissin. His Brahms won me over. A comparison between Argerich and Kissin is impossible! Listen to both their early live recordings - Polar opposites!
Kissin's technique is stellar - We need not doubt that.
His temperament is not uncommon - Pletnev is laconic and vague too! It's a personality trait - Get over it!
What we need to realise is that people play things certain ways becaise they feel they need to express themselves in that way! Who are we to judge that? Arrau said that vanity is the worst characteristic in performers. Let them be! I don't agree with everything Pogorelich or Ugorski does but I appreciate the fact that they are saying what they want to say.
And by the way, what on earth does Kissin's marital status got to do with anything?! Whether he is gay, difficult to relate to or just a plain obnoxious guy, that doesnt take away from the fact he is a better pianist than most of us...
I'm assuming I am going to encounter hectic opposition with these comments!
:'(
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There's no doubt he has his moments of brilliance- his Brahms Hungarian Dances and Rachmaninoff Second Concerto are the best I've heard- but they hardly make up for all of his failures- the four Chopin ballades, the Rachmaninoff Third, Schubert 960, Mephisto Waltz, the list goes on...
An exceptionally talented player, I believe one of his main problems is the fact that he doesn't have to try to play anything. It turns into painfully mediocre and boring playing.
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There's no doubt he has his moments of brilliance- his Brahms Hungarian Dances and Rachmaninoff Second Concerto are the best I've heard- but they hardly make up for all of his failures- the four Chopin ballades, the Rachmaninoff Third, Schubert 960, Mephisto Waltz, the list goes on...
An exceptionally talented player, I believe one of his main problems is the fact that he doesn't have to try to play anything. It turns into painfully mediocre and boring playing.
Oh my soul - This post infuriates me. Calling Kissin's Chopin Ballades, Rach3, Schubert failures is SO unfair. Maybe you don't like it but they are certainly not failures. Is it maybe because his Rach2 and Brahms Hung Dances are fast and loud that you like them...? It amazes me how narrow minded people are. Some inexperienced pianist is going to read your comments, make assumptions based on them and in turn never experience some great recordings! Maybe I'm being overly sensitive but the day someone call's Kissin's Ballades mediocre, boring and failures, I worry...
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Oh my soul - This post infuriates me. Calling Kissin's Chopin Ballades, Rach3, Schubert failures is SO unfair. Maybe you don't like it but they are certainly not failures. Is it maybe because his Rach2 and Brahms Hung Dances are fast and loud that you like them...? It amazes me how narrow minded people are. Some inexperienced pianist is going to read your comments, make assumptions based on them and in turn never experience some great recordings! Maybe I'm being overly sensitive but the day someone call's Kissin's Ballades mediocre, boring and failures, I worry...
And Oh my soul, this post infuriates me as well. Kissin's Rachmaninoff Third is very close in quality to David Helfgott's, and I'd be apalled if anyone said Helfgott's performance of that piece was not a failure. His Schubert is definitely painfully mediocre. His Ballades may have some moments, but are generally hardly decent. His Mephisto Waltz is absolutely terrible, and I don't know why a soul would say that isn't a failure...
Also, not all of the Brahms Hungarian Dances are fast and loud. The most important element to a truly great performance of these is rhythm. His Rachmaninoff Second is also far from fast and loud. Although not heartbreakingly slow like most of his other recordings, this could still not be considered fast, and detinitely not loud.
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And Oh my soul, this post infuriates me as well. Kissin's Rachmaninoff Third is very close in quality to David Helfgott's, and I'd be apalled if anyone said Helfgott's performance of that piece was not a failure.
And what part of Kissin's recording resembles Helfgott's? I really question your listening ability.
His Schubert is definitely painfully mediocre.
I agree that his Schubert isn't the greatest.
His Ballades may have some moments, but are generally hardly decent.
Again, please explain. I just don't understand your generalized criticism. Why?
His Mephisto Waltz is absolutely terrible, and I don't know why a soul would say that isn't a failure...
Have you seen him play this piece live? I have and I found that it was one of the best performance of this piece.
Are these your real opinions or are they influenced by other people's and critics' opinions who can't even play the instrument like him?
I have spoken to him personally several times and he is a really likeable guy. I'd really like to see and hear how much better you can play than Kissin.
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Why are young pianists so controversial? I have never heard Kissin perform live, but in his recordings some songs are excellent and others aren't quite up to my expectations; just like the recordings of every other pianist. Once you get to the point where you've studied the piano for years, and heard hundreds of recordings and performances, it's very unlikely that you will find a pianist who has done everything right in your opinion. Isn't part of the reason we aspire to be concert pianist is to show how we interpret a song, in our perceived correct manner? There will always be a level of dissatisfaction with how other people play, but the new kids get all the heat. I suppose its sort of intimidating to criticize the demigod like pianists who have already proved so popular.
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How on EARTH can u compare Helfgott's Rach3 to Kissin's? They're polar opposites! It's inconceivable to even name them together. Criticisms have to be justified and true - If you can bring yourself to compare Kissin and Helfgott, you need help. Seriously...
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Kissin's Rachmaninoff Third is horrible. David Helfgott's Rachmaninoff Third is atrocious. And Walter Gieseking's (with Mendelberg) is horribly atrocious.
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I got a video file of Kissin playing the Rach 3, I think it's amazing!
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Kissin's Rachmaninoff Third is horrible. David Helfgott's Rachmaninoff Third is atrocious. And Walter Gieseking's (with Mendelberg) is horribly atrocious.
Like I said, why don't back up your claims with some legitimate explanations instead of just accusing these famous pianists of terrible playing? How long have you been playing the piano, anyway? From your postings I don't think you have enough knowledge or even able to play well enough to even defend yourself.
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I find Kissin's playing to be inconsistent. When he's "on," I think he is remarkable. I think his recording of "Pictures at an Exhibition" is very, very good. Definitely NOT boring! ;) That recording really highlights his technique and his ability to really pull off those big, bombastic pieces without getting overwhelmed by them.
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I agree with Nina. I also believe personal preference plays a VERY large part in which pieces of Kissin you enjoy or detest. I personally love his posthumous Schubert Sonata, and I find his Ballades to be simply trite. I haven't heard Kissing's Rach 3, but I can't imagine it being atrocious. There are very few recordings which are truly awful in all respects. I believe that, as a listener, you should put forth your own effort in finding something enjoyable in a performance, no matter who the pianist is. It's stubborn, foolish, and very arrogant to expect "good" recordings to match your own personal tastes.
In fact, I believe this is the biggest barrier to a wider audience for classical music in general - the willingness to put forth just as much effort as the performer (or more in the case of lousy performers :P) to make the music real and alive; many people seem too lazy to do this. This doesn't mean you have to enjoy or even accept every performance you listen to, but you can find beauty anywhere if you look for it.
:)
-Motrax
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I just bought Kissin doing the Brahms Op. 5 sonata, and I think it's a really good interpretation and would recommend it. He's a strange fellow, seems very shy, is obviously very intense -- not my favorite all around, but sometimes, like with the Brahms Op. 5, I think things really come together for him.
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A couple of short notes..
From what I've heard of Mr Kissin I'm not totally overwhelmed. I despise his Moonlight Sonata recording, and don't enjoy listening to some other recordings of his. However, he has done some nice pieces.. I'm not going to complain about the pieces I don't enjoy him playing, I'm just not going to listen to them.
The other, main thing, is the terrible way that any discussion about a pianist always seems to disintegrate into a petty argument about person A not liking him, then person B saying 'Oh, yeah, I'd like to hear you play better than him/her/it.' as a good argument as to why they are a good pianist. Comparison of skill level between listener/critic and performer has absolutely nothing to do with it. Not many of us will ever reach the technical proficiency of Mr Kissin, that does not mean we cannot have an opinion. We can't all paint with the creativity and emotion of Picasso, that does not forbid us from criticising some of his artwork.
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This post also infuriates me. I have heard about a dozen of Kissin’s recordings and he had always impressed me very much except for a couple of concertos. His technique is almost the best that I have heard. He is also very musical and a very emotional pianist. Why must a good pianist like Kissin deserved so much wrong criticisms?
I haven’t heard his Schubert 960, so I won’t say anything about it. His Rachmaninoff concerto No 3 is on the slow side, I wish he had played faster. But apart from that, I don’t agree with the criticisms given to kissin here. Why must you despise his Moonlight Sonata? I have heard a few other pianists playing this piece and I reckon Kissin is the best. These pianists are Kissin, Kovacevich, Gilels, Askenazy, Backhous, Schnabell, Louis Lortie, Barenboim, Wilhelm Kempff,Jean-Bernard-Pommier and Glenn Gould. They are arranged in the order of my preference. Kissin is very expressive, very emotional and his technique is the most brilliant among these pianists ( Why must people always complain that kissin is not emotional?). I know Alfred Brendel has also played this piece, but I know I will never like his playing just like the way I never like Wilhelm Kempff .
Some of you even said this:
“but they hardly make up for all of his failures- the four Chopin ballades, the Rachmaninoff Third, Schubert 960, Mephisto Waltz, the list goes on... “
I certainly don't agree with this. There is hardly any failure for kissin. As I said above, there are only a couple of pieces I wish he had played better. Apart from that, Kissin remains one of my top favourite pianists.
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Kissin's Rachmaninoff Third is horrible. David Helfgott's Rachmaninoff Third is atrocious. And Walter Gieseking's (with Mendelberg) is horribly atrocious.
Is Kissin's Rachmaninoff Third horrible? Certainly not. He had played it well except that it's just slightly slower than most of the other pianists. Some pieces of Pollini are also unsatisfactory although his technique is considered as very good by many people. I think it may have something to do with one's readiness in his preparation for the piece before he headed for the recording studio. You just can't expect every piece of a pianist to be the best that you have heard. There is no need to downgrade a pianist just because he had played a couple of pieces not better than some other pianists. Kissin is one of the top few pianists we have now, there is no doubt about it. So, don't mislead people by comparing him with David Helfgott, ridiculous!
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My despising of his Moonlight Sonata is purely personal choice. My opinion on his playing of this does not consider his technique (which I never mentioned), simply that I really do not enjoy listening to it. It may well be very good - doesn't mean I have to enjoy it.
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I have read too many lies by non professional as well as professional music critics. They may put forward their arguments such as views about music is very subjective, what you like may not be what I like. So they may persistently rated some lousy musicians five stars out of fives while some good muscian maybe absurdly under rated by them.
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Kissin excels not only in technique, his musical sensitivity is at a high level too as one New York Times music critic had written which I highly agree.
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he's just great!
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I don't like him. I've come to think that he interprets mostly with "maniere" and not with real insight. It's most annoying, coming from a pianist with such technical resource. I especially dislike his Schubert. And I hope he gets better! :)
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I don't like him. I've come to think that he interprets mostly with "maniere" and not with real insight. It's most annoying, coming from a pianist with such technical resource. I especially dislike his Schubert. And I hope he gets better! :)
Some people like to use description such as 'no depth' or 'no insight' to criticize musicians vaguely without any elaboration while trying their best to boast some lousy musicians. I have seen enough of these kinds of very unfair criticisms given by some professional music critics. They are truly not the kind of respectable music critics. The world of classical music will be better off without these kinds of music critics.
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Some people like to use description such as 'no depth' or 'no insight' to criticize musicians vaguely without any elaboration while trying their best to boast some lousy musicians. I have seen enough of these kinds of very unfair criticisms given by some professional music critics. They are truly not the kind of respectable music critics. The world of classical music will be better off without these kinds of music critics.
Now, for the record: I am neither a music critic nor - God forbid! - a respectable one. I assume you quoting my answer while mentioning "trying to boast musicians" (whatever that means) is accidental (also read:obviously ludicrous IF connected to your mind with above quoted answer).
I've also failed to see any elaboration from your part on the subject of this topic. It is incosistent stating just your opinion (which you have of course every right to do) and while doing it lamenting the fact that others do so as well.
Cheers!
PS. I'm afraid I still dislike Kissin.
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Out of curiosity, did Kissin ever record or perform Schubert's Impromtus? Thanks. :)
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his virtuosity was transcendental, nevertheless...
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his virtuosity was transcendental, ( 20 second pause) nevertheless...
Fixed for ya ;D
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There's an interview with him here:
https://www.inspiredminds.de/detail.php?id=27
He sounds relatively normal and speaks quite differently from on 'The Art of Piano' (or when he announces encores). Having seen him in real life, he struck me as rather peculiar, very pale and with a glazed look in his eyes.
Nevertheless...
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Simply repeating what has been said by many before: his playing is rather empty of emotion and this probably relates to his upbringing and lack of secure relationships with fellow human beings.
I agree with this comment. Im sick of technicians - especially when there are many others out there with flawed techniques, but nevertheless give meaningful interpretations, well chaneled emotions, and bring enjoyment to audiences. These people are privaleged to have a career in performance when others would love to have - they are accountable just like everyone else.
I dont think from cradle to piano to conservatoire to platform produces the best artists/musicians. You need to live to experience the range of emotions the composers had and wrote about. Music is about life. If you haven't lived how can you relate to and produce emotion in the music! [contraversial??]
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Among the younger pianists, I reckon Kissin has got more emotion than Volodos, Pogorelich and Leif Ove Andsnes. Instead of criticizing the other three pianists, why always pick on Kissin? The way kissin is criticized here, sometimes it looks like defamation to me. Why always talk about his upbringing? Is your inborn musical ability more important or your upbringing? Looks like some people are trying to find fault with Kissin.
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Ability isn't strictly dependant on upbringing, but as has been clearly stated music is fundementally about conveying emotion, so a stunted upbringing restricting you emotionally has a direct effect on your playing.
An I'm very glad someone mentioned the long pause on the Art of Piano DVD. I've found he plays as he speaks - delayed.
Oh my, what silly comments..
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Among the younger pianists, I reckon Kissin has got more emotion than Volodos, Pogorelich and Leif Ove Andsnes. Instead of criticizing the other three pianists, why always pick on Kissin? The way kissin is criticized here, sometimes it looks like defamation to me. Why always talk about his upbringing? Is your inborn musical ability more important or your upbringing? Looks like some people are trying to find fault with Kissin.
tibidi, are there any other pianists who you would defend in such a manner?
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i enjoy his playing often, but i wonder about his interprative process.
is his musical expression sincere and unmannered?
does he wear his heart on his sleeve?
does he FAKE the feeling of his performances?
these are criticisms often levelled at him
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Groundless accusations. You people have put Kissin under high power microscope to look for flaws and yet you are unable to convince people of your accusations. I can also say the same thing about any pianist I like:
Has someone’s musical expression sincere and unmannered?
Does he wear his heart on his sleeve?
Does he fake the feeling of his performances?
Some music critics are simply not respectable. Why don’t they at least point out exactly what they mean？ Why don't they convince people by giving some comparisons with some other pianists such as whose musical expression is sincere and unmannered? Don’t just criticize vaguely without facts. Also, don’t try to find reason such as his upbringing for your groundless accusations. Criticizing without facts is malicious.
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Groundless accusations. You people have put Kissin under high power microscope to look for flaws and yet you are unable to convince people of your accusations. I can also say the same thing about any pianist I like:
Has someone’s musical expression sincere and unmannered?
Does he wear his heart on his sleeve?
Does he fake the feeling of his performances?
Some music critics are simply not respectable. Why don’t they at least point out exactly what they mean？ Why don't they convince people by giving some comparisons with some other pianists such as whose musical expression is sincere and unmannered? Don’t just criticize vaguely without facts. Also, don’t try to find reason such as his upbringing for your groundless accusations. Criticizing without facts is malicious.
im just stating facts and asking questions, i didnt say those questions are true i was simply asking whether you think it is true or not, and why?
many people have made these accusations, do you think they are founded?
i refuse to believe they are random, they are based upon peoples perceptions.
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Do you believe that every music critic is sincere in his criticisms? I definetely don't believe that. Even if those are the common criticisms of Kissin, I still don't believe they are valid criticisms. As I said, some music critics are not respectable at all.
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even if what you say is true, why do you think they choose THOSE PARTICULAR CRITICISMS?
surely something about kissin, be it his playin, personality, or appearance while playing - has provoked them.
you cant deny this!
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What else can they criticize Kissin? His technique? It will be harder to lie about his technique, isn’t it? They will have to choose criticisms that will give them bigger room to criticize vaguely, reasons such as ‘not enough depth’ ‘no insight’ or ‘no emotion’. Some music critics don’t bother to select criticizms that would allow them to get away easier with false criticisms, they just lied shamelessly. Anyway, even if they had chosen some other aspects to criticize Kissin, you would have asked me the same question. Kissin won’t have recorded many pieces by Chopin, Schumann, Liszt if his music is not filled with emotion. He had played Chopin better than Argerich, you can't deny that.
It's rather poor taste to criticize his personality. Who knows Kissin well enough to criticize him that way? Even if someone here claim to know him well, I just refuse to believe. Got to go now.
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I have not listened to much of Kissin's playing. In fact, I believe I have only heard his Liszt's Transcendental Etude No. 5. I can not judge a pianist based on one recording, but I found the recording way too fast. It was a bit too stagnant and dry, and lots of the musical meaning seemed to have been lost, since the notes flung all over the place and the music all stayed on one plane. I'm expecting that there might be recordings. Also, I have to comment on tibidi's restless clamoring against the naysayers of Kissin. Other people have opinions that might not be in accordance with you. Fine, let them be, leave them alone. One friend of mine likes rap music. I don't. Oh well, life moves on. Leave them be. They might be missing out on something, or they just have a different way of percieving things. It usually turns out that most of the time you can never convince a person to think otherwise. So, you might fight it all you want, but in the end there will still be two factions, one that like his playing and others that don't. Their beliefs may not be grounded on solid substance, but that doesn't change much. Every pianist has his critics, good ones and bad ones. Trying to eliminate bad critics is like trying to avoid death.
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ask yourself, what are these critic's motives to randomly criticise kissin?
i actually really likes what i heard of his FF - very dramatic compared to others ive heard, but i didnt hear the full recording.
and about kissin's technique - i can criticise the way he virtually rapes the end of la campanella - which yundi li manages to play it perfectly, and even faster.
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No pianist is perfect. I don't think Kissin should be too exaggerately criticized here. If he should be criticized the way he has been criticized here, all other pianists should be criticized too because Kissin is so much better than many others not only in terms of technique, but musical sensitivity, emotion and interpretation as well, why only pick Kissin ALL THE TIME?
It looks as if I have less right to speak here? We are all trying to put forward our points of views, right? Some don't like Kissin, some like Kissin. Whether you like him or not, we all have equal right to speak, I hope!
I hope I am correct in encouraging people to criticize with fact. That is what I have been trying to do all the time. Shouldn't a good forum do the same, encouraging criticisms with facts?
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kissin is criticised more simply because of his fame
much like langlang - if he wasnt as famous, not as much criticism would exist
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kissin is criticised more simply because of his fame
much like langlang - if he wasnt as famous, not as much criticism would exist
I agree with the part about kissin, but not Lang Lang. Is Lang Lang famous? depends on how you look at it. You people have tried to give reason such as racism when lang Lang is criticized, haha!
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um....langlang IS famous
he is more famous than yundi li, and with good reason, he simply eppeals more to a mass audience - yet admittedly a less serious audience primarily.
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I better speak less about Lang Lang here.
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I better speak less about Lang Lang here.
Yes, tibidi, "Big Brother" hears all.......
I agree with the part about kissin, but not Lang Lang. Is Lang Lang famous?
Are you serious? Lang Lang is definitely more popular (in terms of being well known) than Kissin. Much more so, in fact. 60 Minutes even did a story on him.
Stop or my mom will shoot,
Bri
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Yesterday I had the chance to listen to Kissin live, in Berlin (Beethoven´s 4th-5th piano concerto, with Gubelkian Orchestra, conductor Foster).
What impressed me most was:
1) his haircut, the same as ten years ago (=was the first and last time - before yesterday - I listened to him live)
2) the perfect bows: many and in every directions, every time he came out on the stage. Once he was giving a header to the conductor (who was not so keen on Kissin´s 6-all-around-bow schedule.
3) the amount of applauses. People know that the more they clap the more encores they get, so...on and on! Three encores, quite good.
Joking apart, he is for me like a very brilliant student of a fantastic teacher, who can teach him all the tricks to give feelings and logic to his music, and he follows perfectly the lesson. I don´t know, he is like his bows: elegant, perfect, but not naturally coming from his heart...
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yes, thats a common criticism, but how do you percieve this emotional insincerity? the performance didnt move you? or were you affected by extramusical elements of his performance or persona?
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So, there aren't many good pianists around and therefore the lousy pianist will not appear to be so lousy at all, right? Haha! I give up!
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I have not listened to much of Kissin's playing. In fact, I believe I have only heard his Liszt's Transcendental Etude No. 5. I can not judge a pianist based on one recording, but I found the recording way too fast. It was a bit too stagnant and dry, and lots of the musical meaning seemed to have been lost, since the notes flung all over the place and the music all stayed on one plane. I'm expecting that there might be recordings. Also, I have to comment on tibidi's restless clamoring against the naysayers of Kissin. Other people have opinions that might not be in accordance with you. Fine, let them be, leave them alone. One friend of mine likes rap music. I don't. Oh well, life moves on. Leave them be. They might be missing out on something, or they just have a different way of percieving things. It usually turns out that most of the time you can never convince a person to think otherwise. So, you might fight it all you want, but in the end there will still be two factions, one that like his playing and others that don't. Their beliefs may not be grounded on solid substance, but that doesn't change much. Every pianist has his critics, good ones and bad ones. Trying to eliminate bad critics is like trying to avoid death.
I hope nobody here is encouraging groundless slanderous criticisms against any other pianist. Besides some groundless attack on Kissin's music, the way these people had criticized Kissin's character is rather disturbing to others.
Nobody is trying to eliminate bad critics, but at least criticisms of those music critics who are not respectable (critics who wrote a lot of nonsense) should not be discouraged.
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"EXCEPT YUNDI LI, EVERYONE SUCKKKKKKKKKKSKSSSSSSSS"
LOL
;D
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To say Kissin is an awful pianist is just stupid. Maybe you don't agree with his interpretations, but you can't deny his technical brilliance. That alone rises him above "terrible" don't you think?
I feel Kissin was a little better when he was younger. More sparkle to his playing. I love his Carnegie Hall debut disc and his two Rach Concerto discs. And I guess I am alone here, but I LOVE his Rach 3rd with Ozawa (outside of that painfully slow tempo in the 1st mvmt). The 4th mvmt climax is the best on record if you ask me. If you say that music is lacking emotion, you're deaf.
On the other hand, his Barcarolle is awful, as are most of the recordings he's done since the mid 90s.
Oh and the guy who compared his Rach 3 to Helfgott... HUH????
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To say Kissin is an awful pianist is just stupid. Maybe you don't agree with his interpretations, but you can't deny his technical brilliance. That alone rises him above "terrible" don't you think?
I feel Kissin was a little better when he was younger. More sparkle to his playing. I love his Carnegie Hall debut disc and his two Rach Concerto discs. And I guess I am alone here, but I LOVE his Rach 3rd with Ozawa (outside of that painfully slow tempo in the 1st mvmt). The 4th mvmt climax is the best on record if you ask me. If you say that music is lacking emotion, you're deaf.
On the other hand, his Barcarolle is awful, as are most of the recordings he's done since the mid 90s.
Oh and the guy who compared his Rach 3 to Helfgott... HUH????
Someone here had said that Yundi Li is declining and now Kissin is also declining? Certainly not true. Both are very very good in my opinion. I know you may not want to believe what I said, so I better quote some real facts here. The fact is this: only a couple of years ago,
KISSIN HAD WON A CD PRIZE FOR HIS BRAHMS ALBUM
and
YUNDI HAD ALSO WON A CD PRIZE FOR HIS LISZT ALBUM
Kissin is definitely not declining. As I said above, only a couple of his concertos are not better than some other pianists. I haven't noticed any awful piece played by Kissin.
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Someone here had said that Yundi Li is declining and now Kissin is also declining? Certainly not true. Both are very very good in my opinion. I know you may not want to believe what I said, so I better quote some real facts here. The fact is this: only a couple of years ago,
KISSIN HAD WON A CD PRIZE FOR HIS BRAHMS ALBUM
and
YUNDI HAD ALSO WON A CD PRICE FOR HIS LISZT ALBUM
Kissin is definitely not declining. As I said above, only a couple of his concertos are not better than some other pianists. I haven't noticed any awful piece played by Kissin.
Well in my opinion, Kissin, at only 30-something, has seen his better days. His recent discs have been less than inspiring. His Barcarolle is horrendous, and I never thought I would say that about any Kissin performance. Then again, the Barcarolle is my favorite piece of Chopin, so I am very picky. I also dislike his Ballades. His Mussorgsky and Beethoven discs are average at best, and his Chopin live recitals from Carnegie Hall leave a little to be desired (save for a couple pieces here and there).
One of his better discs is the one with the Transcendental Etudes. I love his Wilde Jagd. His Feux Follets is amazingly fast and fluid. Nojima and Mei-Ting are the only two I've heard play it that fast.
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Well in my opinion, Kissin, at only 30-something, has seen his better days. His recent discs have been less than inspiring. His Barcarolle is horrendous, and I never thought I would say that about any Kissin performance. Then again, the Barcarolle is my favorite piece of Chopin, so I am very picky. I also dislike his Ballades. His Mussorgsky and Beethoven discs are average at best, and his Chopin live recitals from Carnegie Hall leave a little to be desired (save for a couple pieces here and there).
One of his better discs is the one with the Transcendental Etudes. I love his Wilde Jagd. His Feux Follets is amazingly fast and fluid. Nojima and Mei-Ting are the only two I've heard play it that fast.
try live Boris Berevozsky for the fastest Feux Follet ever recorded, almost under 3 mins.
BTW, the Kissin Brahms CD is phenonmenal, much better than I expected.
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try live Boris Berevozsky for the fastest Feux Follet ever recorded, almost under 3 mins.
Wow really? I was never impressed with Berezovsky, but I must say I never heard him live. You have any links to his FF?
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yes, berezovsky is the fastest FF ever, the performance on the dvd is around 3 08 or something
kissin is hit and miss for me, when he gets genuinely temperamental he is great
and i really enjoyed his recording of the lark
he introduced me to this gem of a piece
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Well in my opinion, Kissin, at only 30-something, has seen his better days. His recent discs have been less than inspiring. His Barcarolle is horrendous, and I never thought I would say that about any Kissin performance. Then again, the Barcarolle is my favorite piece of Chopin, so I am very picky. I also dislike his Ballades. His Mussorgsky and Beethoven discs are average at best, and his Chopin live recitals from Carnegie Hall leave a little to be desired (save for a couple pieces here and there).
One of his better discs is the one with the Transcendental Etudes. I love his Wilde Jagd. His Feux Follets is amazingly fast and fluid. Nojima and Mei-Ting are the only two I've heard play it that fast.
You people are amazing, how can one be at his peak only at 30-something? Someone else also thought that Yundi should retire now. This person had asked Yundi if he is thinking of retiring now during a radio interview in Hong Kong last year, what kind of question is that？
Kissin’s Barcarolle is definetely not horrendous. He was very expressive and gentle. I like the whole piece except for his slightly sluggish left hand at the beginning of this piece. Apart from that, he had played the whole piece beautifully. For this piece, I have heard Pollini, Ashkenazy, Arrau, Cziffra, Cortot, Rubinstein. I like Rubinstein’s Barcarolle the best. His rubati set you dreaming away. Although I don’t quite like Kissin’s rubati for the slower part of the music sometimes(for example, the binginning of Ballade No. 1), you will still agree with his rubati for the rest of the whole piece and he had certainly played it beautifully. Kissin is certainly very good at Chopin’s music and he is certainly a very expressive, very emotionally pianist. I know I defintely prefer his chopin than Rachmaninnof's.
Kissin’s Ballades are very good too although I prefer Zimerman’s rubati for Ballade No. 1. I haven’t heard any awful piece played by Kissin. If you ask me if I have heard any awful pieces, I will say the end of Rubinstein’s Ballade No, 4 is rather awful, Horowitz’s bass is sometimes rather awful too, don’t you think so?
I don't think I need to say too much in future as criticisms of Kissin are always just given without any justification. Have you seen any elaboration of any criticism? I haven't. You even see comment like: If I were Kissin, I would rather be dead, be less unkind, men! All such criticisms should be ignored in future.
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lol, tibidi, vendetta perhaps?
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lol, tibidi, vendetta perhaps?
No, my heart bleed when I saw people bullied. Let this be my last post.
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have you ever seen a psychiatrist?
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You people are amazing, how can one be at his peak only at 30-something?
Simple. It's not uncommon to be on top of the classical music universe as a child prodigy, then for whatever reason (burnout, lack of musical development) fall into obscurity. I haven't heard much from Midori or Sarah Chang or Ofra Harnoy since they've reached "adulthood".
I am not a Kissin hater. I said earlier in this thread that it's ridiculous to call him an awful pianists, which is what some go as far to say. I respect his pianistic genius. But I don't dig his interpretations. His Rach 3 is among my favs (save for the 1st mvmt). And I love some of the recitals he did in the late 80s and early 90s. But over the last 10 years or so his playing has lacked something to my ears.
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I respect his pianistic genius. But I don't dig his interpretations. His Rach 3 is among my favs (save for the 1st mvmt).
I have his Cd with Ozawa and in the booklet, Kissin follows the tempo marked written out on the orchestral score when Rachmaninoff himself wanted the tempo to be. And as for the composer's recording of the 3rd concerto, mind you that during his time, there weren't such thing as a cd or anything that will play over an hour worth of music on one side of a disk. Rachmaninoff had to speed up the tempo and sometimes, he had to cut off chunks of sections on the first movement of his 3rd concerto because it wouldn't fit on one side of an LP.
And I love some of the recitals he did in the late 80s and early 90s. But over the last 10 years or so his playing has lacked something to my ears.
Could it be that he is now at a status where he is able to play what and how he wants? Maybe he doesn't want to play what other people want to hear anymore. I love the fact that sometime he takes things to the extreme. That certainly doesn't mean that his creativity has stopped.
It was Kissin that made me like musics I used to dislike very much. The way he interprets gives me the chills with excitement and think to myself, "Wow! I never thought that this piece could sound like this."
If you want a beautiful performance of the Barcarolle, listen to Murray Perahia's recording of it. It is the best of the best, in my opinion. Even better than the mentioned performers on the previous reply.
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If you want a beautiful performance of the Barcarolle, listen to Murray Perahia's recording of it. It is the best of the best, in my opinion. Even better than the mentioned performers on the previous reply.
I couldn't agree more. Perahia's Barcarolle is tops in my opinion. That disc also has the best G Flat Impromptu recording as well.
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I have his Cd with Ozawa and in the booklet, Kissin follows the tempo marked written out on the orchestral score when Rachmaninoff himself wanted the tempo to be. And as for the composer's recording of the 3rd concerto, mind you that during his time, there weren't such thing as a cd or anything that will play over an hour worth of music on one side of a disk. Rachmaninoff had to speed up the tempo and sometimes, he had to cut off chunks of sections on the first movement of his 3rd concerto because it wouldn't fit on one side of an LP.
Could it be that he is now at a status where he is able to play what and how he wants? Maybe he doesn't want to play what other people want to hear anymore. I love the fact that sometime he takes things to the extreme. That certainly doesn't mean that his creativity has stopped.
It was Kissin that made me like musics I used to dislike very much. The way he interprets gives me the chills with excitement and think to myself, "Wow! I never thought that this piece could sound like this."
If you want a beautiful performance of the Barcarolle, listen to Murray Perahia's recording of it. It is the best of the best, in my opinion. Even better than the mentioned performers on the previous reply.
Ok, it was proven that, by the time of Rachmaninoff, the media it used, is more than enough to fit the whole Concerto even in a much slower tempo. The 'LP Hypothesis' is simply not true.
he doens't use rubato like a drunk cow, and that's why it is faster than most of the recordings nowadays. And that's Rachmaninoff's intention.
And about the Kissin, you saying that he 'doesn't want to play the way audience wants', I actually hold the absolute opposite idea about that.
But if Kissin makes u happy, that's all matters i think. I am not trying to sabotage your musical hero, just trying to tell u that, by the time Rachmaninoff recordd the Concerto, he was rushing to 'fit onto the media', he wasn't even rushing at all. That's the way it should be played.
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by the time Rachmaninoff recordd the Concerto, he was rushing to 'fit onto the media', he wasn't even rushing at all. That's the way it should be played.
I don't think so. If that was the case, why did he cut a huge section out of the first movement in the recording? I'm sure that he made several recordings of the concerto but the one I hear of him playing was fast and made cuts out of the music.
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Rachmaninoff was notorius for making cuts in all of his music, both recorded and live. Here's a letter he wrote to Medtner about the Corelli Variations:
"I've played them here about fifteen times, but of these fifteen performances, only one was good. [...] And it's so boring! Not once have I played these all in continuity. I was guided by the caughing of the audience. Whenever the coughing increased, I would skip the next variation. [...] In one concert, I don't remember where - some small town - the caughing was so violent that I played only 10 variations (out of 20). My best record was set in New York, where I played 18 variations..."
The composer editted the 1st Symphony, 1st concerto, 4th concerto, and 2nd sonata by making large numbers of cuts. He complained about the vast length of much of his music many times - he once said of his second sonata:
"I look at my early works and see how much there is that is superfluous. Even in this sonata so many voices are moving simultaneously, and it is too long. Chopin's Sonata lasts nineteen minutes, and all has been said."
Quotes aside, it's pretty evident that Rachmaninoff was never wholly confident or secure with his own playing, at least on the outside. The speed at which he plays the third concerto suits the piece perfectly well, and the cuts were probably just made on the composer's whim. (This is the only recording he ever made of the piece. The only pieces Rachmaninoff recorded more than once are the second concerto, the G minor and C# minor preludes, and one or two of his polkas).
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IMO uncut rach is best, what he sees as superfluous , i see as yet more precious genius from rach.
cutting the rach3 is simply a musical crime IMO, i wish hed have had more confidence , but its this lack of confidence and happines that drove him to write such moving and sad music.
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I certainly agree that Rachmaninoff shouldn't've cut his music. The first version of the fourth concerto makes a whole lot more sense than the second version.
I don't think Rachmaninoff lacked too much confidence - he was somewhat arrogant when he was younger, and I think he spent much of his later life trying to hide this. He was definitely a proud man, and I think that if he were left to his own devices without perceived pressure from other people, he would not have made cuts to anything.
But that's all speculation of course. :)
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emotionally his melancholic indulgence doesnt exactly paint the picture of an arrogant man.
it paints the picture of a man weeping in solance in a dark corner.
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cutting the rach3 is simply a musical crime IMO
Maybe if someone else cut it, yeah, but when it's your own composition I think you pretty much have free reign over what to include and not include. I'm sure Rach had a reason for cutting it.
Ok, it was proven that, by the time of Rachmaninoff, the media it used, is more than enough to fit the whole Concerto even in a much slower tempo. The 'LP Hypothesis' is simply not true.
That's not really true. The media Rach had available was the LP at best, there was no other media available. The total length of an LP is 40 minutes (20 per side). Since there is not enough time to fit 2 movements of the Rach 3 on one side, it would require 3 sides to record the complete concerto. Sure, it is possible to fit it all on record, but to fit it on a single LP with 2 sides, there would be have to be some cutting involved.
Peace,
Bri
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And actually, the long-play record (LP) wasn't even really in use until the 50s, and Rach died in 1943, so he couldn't have been using LPs to begin with.
The media Rach would have been using would have been quite a bit a more time restrictive. In his time, I think the max time per side was about 3-4 minutes.
Peace,
Bri
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The original concerto with Rachmaninoff as pianist was released on five records. This gave Rachmaninoff 10 sides with which to play, but only nine sides were used. He had an extra blank side with which to take a slower tempo and no cuts, but the fact of the matter is that he did make cuts and did choose a faster tempo.
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i just have one question about evgeny. i recently saw a video if him playing at the proms and i want to know how he can baly so fast and precisely with his fingers so darn high of the keys. i have this same problem if high fingers (stupid hanon) and i cant play nearly this fast.
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I couldn't agree more. Perahia's Barcarolle is tops in my opinion. That disc also has the best G Flat Impromptu recording as well.
Moiseiwitsch, Kapell and Lipatti for me.
koji (STSD)
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i just have one question about evgeny. i recently saw a video if him playing at the proms and i want to know how he can baly so fast and precisely with his fingers so darn high of the keys. i have this same problem if high fingers (stupid hanon) and i cant play nearly this fast.
its a stupid 'show-off' habit and makes him look like an idiot.
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Have you seen the latest DVD ? when he plays with Argerich? What do you think about that???
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Have you seen the latest DVD ? when he plays with Argerich? What do you think about that???
I would be interested in seeing this video. I personally have to say that Kissin exposed me to the lovely melodies of Chopin's preludes. Is he the greatest? comes to personal opinion. Is he terrible? that would be stupid to say. he commands large crowds wherever he goes. People just love him.
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You sould get it, the title is "piano extravaganza" or some thing like that... it is extremely interesting. Two great and completely different artists make really chamber music !!! They play a Mozart´s sonata, and it is the best recording of that piece ever!!!!!!!!!!!
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I do have the vid of argerich performing music with her "friends" but the kissin one would be really fun to watch.
boliver
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well... IT IS fun to watch!!! Don´t get me wrong, they play beautifully!!!!!! But it is a weird couple!!! (in one particulary moment Kissin makes a terrible mistake!They are reading and he´s chaging the sheets and guees what? ....He took two pages in stead of one!!!!!!). :o
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What a politically-correct world we live in. Never fear: the state of the world as of now won't last forever.
Mr. Kissin is a good performer. Some parts of his playing are not in accordance to my interpretation, but I know I can't do anything. He is entitled to his interpretation, and I am entitled to mine. What he does doesn't affect me in a negative way; therefore, I respect his performance.
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well... IT IS fun to watch!!! Don´t get me wrong, they play beautifully!!!!!! But it is a weird couple!!! (in one particulary moment Kissin makes a terrible mistake!They are reading and he´s chaging the sheets and guees what? ....He took two pages in stead of one!!!!!!). :o
was this recorded live or what? why not just fix that section?
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its a stupid 'show-off' habit and makes him look like an idiot.
I don't think so. He doesn't strike me as a show off. Of the pianists I've seen personally in my life, and those I've listened to on record, none have impressed my like Kissin. Interpretation is subjective; I happen to find his performances very compelling (his Rach 2 is my favorite recording of that piece). But you can't possibly argue his command of the instrument. He simply does not reveal any weakness in his technique. And for those who say he's "in decline" I have to disagree...have you listenend to his recent recording of Mephisto? Breathtaking, IMO. I've never heard anyone play it like that.
I'm seeing him perform on Sunday. Can't wait.
Regards,
Chuck Butler
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Kissin's extremely sudden and exaggerated volume changes are quite obnoxious.
But otherwise he's got talent, certainly.
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Mr. Kissin is a good performer. Some parts of his playing are not in accordance to my interpretation, but I know I can't do anything.
I have never felt that way about Kissin's interpretation. I think we are very fortunate to have a top pianist like Kissin who is not only a virtuoso, his interpretations of any piece always make sense too.
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Kissin's rach3 is the best performance i've ever heard. His playing is so touching and profound!
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Though kissin is not my favourite pianist, I will say that i admire him greatly. You have to remember that he is relatively young (in his thirties) yet he has been around quite a while (really since he was 12).
For a 12 year old to play the Chopin concertos in the way he did, well that is simply astounding. He was no doubt a wonderkind of the likes not seen since perhaps Arrau and no doubt a few others you can all think of.
I am of the opinion that he has an outstanding technique. And whilst I, along with many others, consider his musicianship to be the weaker of the two, you cannot say that he is void of emotion and expression. Perhaps his upbringing hampered his emotional development - this is a boy who didn't really interact with others, he just played the piano. Perhaps others may have thoughts on this.
However, I do believe him to be a very fine pianist, and I wouldn't suggest that Lang Lang is anywhere close to him in any sense(my opinion - I dislike everything about Lang Lang as some will know). I have seen kissin live on several occasions, memorable performances of Pictures at an Exhibition and the Beethoven 4th and 5th concertos stand out as being particularly inspiring.
Put it this way, you may all like to criticise him, but i'm sure those amongst you who are pianists would not turn down the chance to have the talent he does!
AD
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Though kissin is not my favourite pianist, I will say that i admire him greatly. You have to remember that he is relatively young (in his thirties) yet he has been around quite a while (really since he was 12).
For a 12 year old to play the Chopin concertos in the way he did, well that is simply astounding. He was no doubt a wonderkind of the likes not seen since perhaps Arrau and no doubt a few others you can all think of.
I am of the opinion that he has an outstanding technique. And whilst I, along with many others, consider his musicianship to be the weaker of the two, you cannot say that he is void of emotion and expression. Perhaps his upbringing hampered his emotional development - this is a boy who didn't really interact with others, he just played the piano. Perhaps others may have thoughts on this.
However, I do believe him to be a very fine pianist, and I wouldn't suggest that Lang Lang is anywhere close to him in any sense(my opinion - I dislike everything about Lang Lang as some will know). I have seen kissin live on several occasions, memorable performances of Pictures at an Exhibition and the Beethoven 4th and 5th concertos stand out as being particularly inspiring.
Put it this way, you may all like to criticise him, but i'm sure those amongst you who are pianists would not turn down the chance to have the talent he does!
AD
No, I don't think his musicianship is weaker. As I had written before, I rather go for Kissin's music than IVO Pogorelich, Leif Ove Andsnes, or Volodos. Kissin is a lot more passionate and musical than these three pianists in my opinion. People tend to be jealous of kissin.
What is wrong with Kissin’s upbringing? I think some people are trying to create something out of nothing. It’s Lang Lang’s upbringing which should really be criticized. It’s strange that I have never seen anybody writing about Lang Lang’s abnormal upbringing here. It’s always Kissin Kissin and Kissin.
Lang Lang went through hell in his childhood days. His father often beat him like hell when he was not happy with Lang Lang. When Lang Lang failed to gain entry to some music school, his father even told Lang Lang to either do something about his piano or else go and commit suicide. Lang Lang truly had a very abnormal childhood. I had seen a video showing teenager Lang Lang walking on stage looking very dull and walking like an old man. Although I truly dislike Lang Lang, I still think it’s rather cruel to criticize his upbringing. It’s even crueller to wrongly criticize Kissin for nothing.
The cruellest is those shameless music critics always writing a lot of nonsense about some pianists’ playing. This kind of music critics ought to be shot, hehe!
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Kissin's La Campanella is so amazing technically,
BUT I HATE IT.
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His chopin 1st concerto in 1984 when he was 11 (or 12..) it's pretty good, except for the 2nd movement. I'd love to have seen a video of that performance.
Instead i've seen his performance of the first tchaikovsky when he was 17. I totally hate the way he moves when he plays.
His 3rd prokofiev concerto (DG recording) is the total worst I have ever heard. It seems he's not even playing seriously. And it was live, poor people there. His 2nd prokofiev concerto (live) is pretty good though.
He's not too consistent.
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His 3rd prokofiev concerto (DG recording) is the total worst I have ever heard. It seems he's not even playing seriously. And it was live, poor people there. His 2nd prokofiev concerto (live) is pretty good though.
He's not too consistent.
You should not just claim that his 3rd prokofiev concerto (DG recording) is the total worst you have ever heard. You need to say more and convince others such as what other 3rd prokofiev concerto you have heard and why you don't like the one played by Kissin.
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lol that's funny
okay mister
I've heard 3 versions played by Argerich, including the Abbado one. Also the Aschkenazy one from the set of 5 concertos. hmmm Also the one played by Prokofiev himself.
You listen to that recording and tell me that it's a good recording . The first concerto is fine. Like I said, he has no energy and it's just not a good recording. There's not always a way to explain a musical feeling with words.
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lol that's funny
okay mister
I've heard 3 versions played by Argerich, including the Abbado one. Also the Aschkenazy one from the set of 5 concertos. hmmm Also the one played by Prokofiev himself.
I'm a pretty big fan of Kissin, but that Prokofiev isn't my nearly my favorite recording of the piece either. But his Rach rocks.
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lol that's funny
okay mister
I've heard 3 versions played by Argerich, including the Abbado one. Also the Aschkenazy one from the set of 5 concertos. hmmm Also the one played by Prokofiev himself.
You listen to that recording and tell me that it's a good recording . The first concerto is fine. Like I said, he has no energy and it's just not a good recording. There's not always a way to explain a musical feeling with words.
It will be a waste of my time to carry on any discussion here as I don't think some of you are serious about what you wrote usually. Kissin's prokofiev is powerful and very expressive. In my opinion, it's only second to the one played by Kappel from what I have heard .
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No matter how great is the performer there will always be people who would say: he is horrible at this, terrible at that, lucks emotions, can't interpret my favorite peace, etc.
I'm sure even if List played today there will be people to say: his interpretation of Beethoven are shallow and he, while technically brilliant, is absolutely terrible at playing Brahms concerto.
Maybe we all are spending too much time pressing keys on the wrong type of keyboard....
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My favorite piece is the prok 2nd and he does a great job at a live performance of it like i said.
And yeah I was serious when i said that recording wasn't good.
Now Argerich / Rostropovich live in 1992 3rd prokofiev
that performance raises my hair. Especially the finale
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Speaking of Prokofiev, I really enjoy his own recording of the PC No. 3. I think it's with a conductor by the name of Coppola, and if I'm not mistaken, he's the father of Francis Ford who directed The Godfather. 8)
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Well, i will try to make a comment as polite as possible. Try not to get predisposed if I confess I'm not a fan of Kissin, ok? Obviously, he amazes you. You like his playing. I will never question his technique, it's supperb. But I will try to give some more 'concrete' arguments as to why I think he is not formidable. First, technique is not proof of anything, there are hundreds of 'savants' and autistic boys with remarkable skills in something. I think this is the case with Kissin, have you ever seen an interview, the struggle to build a sentence, the triviality and commonplace of the comments... Ok, let's turn to the music. I based my arguments in videos you can see in youtube, and i cite:
1-first chopin prelude: monotonous, compulsive, repetitive.
2-brahms 1st hung dance: same level of energy through the whole piece, no shadings, no contrast.
3-Paganini-Liszt Etude No.2: no dialectics, tonal confusion, no balance, left hand unheard
4-Chopin Waltz in E Minor: pedaling rudeness, caricaturesque, not flexible, poor acoustic projection, black and white contrast, identic repeats, again left hand obscured, no sense of development or direction, dynamic planes are not coherent rather joint together (piano here, forte there, ritardando here, staccato there).
5-Grand Valse Chopin: an exception. the beggining is very good. but as it progresse the acoustic projection is still poor. also the mid section instead of dramatic and proudly intimate he does unsimpatheticly forte.
6-his dynamics are predictible: starts forte ends piano, or viceversa, both binded with cresc or dim, that's it. pure fingers and virtuosity.
6-Liszt La Campanella: technically perfect. the acoustics improve a bit, but it is a straight plane line. no development, monotonous, no sense of variation. he achieves EVERYTHING either with energy or with technique, do you understand why some say he has no vision: only energy and technique.
7-in ocassions he has depleted his dynamic range to a point that when he has to go louder there's no more sound to get from the piano. that is lack of spiritual restraint, proper of lack of sensibility.
8-if you take technique and shadings for expression, maybe you are not getting the difference between a sketch of a child and a picasso. of course people have to resort to metaphoric adjectives, that's criticism, if you dont see the shallowness, the frivolity, the short sightedness, the lack of scope, the lack of vision, if you think Kissin deserves to be regarded in the same esteem of Sviatoslav Richter, Glenn Gould, Claudio Arrau, Alfred Cortot, Arthur Rubinstein, Vladimir Horowitz, you are seriously deluted or have a very poor experience when listening to classical music. you could say the same about me, but i gave you arguments, have you?
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why only pick Kissin ALL THE TIME?
Because to some us members of the public he just evidently sucks, and sucks big time. That's why. Because for some of us the rudeness, the mediocrity is patent, compelling. I personally am willing to demostrate to anyone with detailed discussions of his performances, why he is a mediocre interpreter, a brilliant technician, but mediocre when it comes to grasping a piece. I have said to tiresomeness that he is a machine, a savant, a retarded piano-skilled rainman.
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This thread is over 5-1/2 years old, so the person whom you address as "you" is probably not here. The age of the thread suggests that Kissin has in fact not been picked on "all the time."
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No, I don't think his musicianship is weaker. As I had written before, I rather go for Kissin's music than IVO Pogorelich, Leif Ove Andsnes, or Volodos. Kissin is a lot more passionate and musical than these three pianists in my opinion. People tend to be jealous of kissin.
What is wrong with Kissin’s upbringing? I think some people are trying to create something out of nothing. It’s Lang Lang’s upbringing which should really be criticized. It’s strange that I have never seen anybody writing about Lang Lang’s abnormal upbringing here. It’s always Kissin Kissin and Kissin.
Lang Lang went through hell in his childhood days. His father often beat him like hell when he was not happy with Lang Lang. When Lang Lang failed to gain entry to some music school, his father even told Lang Lang to either do something about his piano or else go and commit suicide. Lang Lang truly had a very abnormal childhood. I had seen a video showing teenager Lang Lang walking on stage looking very dull and walking like an old man. Although I truly dislike Lang Lang, I still think it’s rather cruel to criticize his upbringing. It’s even crueller to wrongly criticize Kissin for nothing.
The cruellest is those shameless music critics always writing a lot of nonsense about some pianists’ playing. This kind of music critics ought to be shot, hehe!
Pretty funny that you mentioned Lang Lang´s father. I heard a duo with him and his dad his father played the erhu, and I must say that the erhuplaying was a lot more beautiful then the pianoplaying.
When it comes to Kissin I must say that he is a very good pianist but hardly the best in the world or even in the top 10.
Even his technique is sloppy sometimes.
Hamelin, Andsnes, Volodos, Argerich, Lupu, Zimmermann, Pogorelich (20 years ago) etc. are significantly better I think.
Kissin get´s tons of publicity while you rarely hear about amazing pianists like Jonathan Powell and Fredrik Ullén that perform pieces that are a lot more demanding then anything Kissin has played. :-[
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i was on hes concert in Belgrade he played:
Chopin 4 Ballades
Schumann Fantasy Pieces op.12, and something more
HES AMAZING !!!
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Some performances are more pleasing than others. Played a memorable Beethoven March.
https://arioso7.wordpress.com/2011/01/02/my-favorite-video-performances-of-beloved-pianists-do-you-have-some-to-share/
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I like the video where he plays scriabin op 43 no 5 at 16 years old. Amazing.
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i think Lola Astanova and Yuja Wang funner to watch, because,
1. they're female, i'm male,
2. they're both hot.
exhibit a
exhibit b
especially around 2:00-2:15 or so
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I think he was one of the greatest child prodigies ever to grace the piano.
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Listen to him in France a few years ago (solo recital). He played Liszt and Beethoven. It was remarkable performance!
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To many notes. He! He! I think that was said to Mozart about one of his operas in the movie they made about him. I love Kissin. He is certainly capable, and he plays how he plays. I don't believe in being critical of others playing. At my age I am just happy to listen and enjoy. Every artists plays some pieces better than others, but I believe they have reached the state of the art where their very worst playing is still well above what most people can do. Mustic is to be enjoyed and not chopped up like some luncheon salad.
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He's better than I am... 8)
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Kissin great technique, can play through everything he plays in strict time from start to finish, however, the interpretation is all subjective. He's got the ability to interpret a piece any ways he wants.
The video I saw of Kissin playing is Liszt Transcendental Etude No5 is by far his best.
Lang Lang on the other hand, he's not as good as he once was. He was far better on his "Live in Carnegie Hall" DVD.
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I used to be a Kissin fan when I was a boy. I was really astonished by the 12 years old Chopin concerti as the 15 years old Rachmaninoff etudes.
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I have only been to one of his concerts and
his playing is absolutely perfect from a technical point of view,
but emotionally it did not do anything for me...
Maybe I was expecting too much...
Perhaps I should listen to him again...
Kristina.
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Technically, Kissin is perfect. On an emotional level, it's a hit-or-miss for me, depending on the piece. While I am fond of his Schubert/Liszt and some of his Chopin, I find most of his Beethoven lacking. Of course, I am still maturing and learning as a pianist myself, so perhaps my opinion of him shall change in the future. I do quite enjoy some of his recordings, though, and he does deserve respect.
Also, why are we suddenly rehashing a thread that is extremely old?
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I went to one of kissin's concerts lately and I was throughly blown away. I love Kissin's absolute control in producing any sound he wants and listening to him live was beyond any video on youtube.
To answer this question, I love kissin and his playing. Compared to other musicians,he stands out as being one of the most natural. Lang lang is no comparison.
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I can not stand Kissin. Another mouth breather. What was he thinking at the 1988 New Years event with Herbert the Nazi. Like the man said compare to just about anyone and anyone wins. Say Arther Ruberstein. Arther is playing in the background No comparison.
New data suggests the mean IQ of a Kissinate is 81.
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New data suggests the mean IQ of a Kissinate is 81.
Still apparently double yours, though, so I wouldn't snark.
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IQ is not correlated with creativity. Mental illness has a higher omega squared.
Now your comment shows you to be angry. Not is not a good position. If you understood humor, it might go down. Who cares.
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Who cares.
People who can spell Arthur Rubinstein. ::)
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People who can spell Arthur Rubinstein. ::)
If my laughing is evidence that you understand humor then I suspect you are well ahead on all fronts here. Also, your comment shows you to be quietly observant, this is this a good position.
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I like a lot of his recordings but some are definitely better than others. I loved his Brahms cd, his Petrouchka, Medtner Sonata and Scriabin Sonata No. 3, but I seem to remember his Chopin Ballades leaving something to be desired. Yet some of his other Chopin is very nice. I think his Beethoven Concertos are beautiful.
In those times when he becomes a bit less interesting I wonder, is he trying to be the ultimate transparent pianist? Or is he getting bored at times? But like everyone else, I find the same with many artists. Some recordings are great, others so so. I love Martha Argerich's Chopin Preludes but I don't like her Tchaikowsky first concerto. (I still think Cliburn will always be it's best performer).
No one's perfect all the time. Hell, I saw Cliburn play the Grieg A Minor concerto in Houston, at the Miller Outdoor Theater, and I think he was drunk. His nose was all red, he was wobbly and missing notes. He looked a mess. It was sad. At least with Kissin, every time I hear someone talk about a live performance of his they seem to have fully enjoyed it. And maybe that says something, maybe he should just record himself live.
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Just started to learn The Lark by Glinka. Saw a video of Kissin playing this piece, Not bad but the video quality was bad and on the background theres someone talking.
Any one has a full video of it by him playing this piece ? Need it for my assignment.
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I think being in control of his emotions is a sign that he lacks them. To me Kissin is the anti Lang Lang and it suits me to a T !
I read a very interesting article/review on Kissin where they analysed his lack of success under critics. Eg. When Kissin plays slowly, he's being boring and acting (emphasis on ACTING)mature; When Richter plays slowly, he is considered thoughtful and fresh. When Kissin plays fast it's reckless and void of emotion; Richter's fast playing is met with comments of virtuosity and genius. I personally love Kissin. His Brahms won me over. A comparison between Argerich and Kissin is impossible! Listen to both their early live recordings - Polar opposites!
Kissin's technique is stellar - We need not doubt that.
His temperament is not uncommon - Pletnev is laconic and vague too! It's a personality trait - Get over it!
What we need to realise is that people play things certain ways becaise they feel they need to express themselves in that way! Who are we to judge that? Arrau said that vanity is the worst characteristic in performers. Let them be! I don't agree with everything Pogorelich or Ugorski does but I appreciate the fact that they are saying what they want to say.
And by the way, what on earth does Kissin's marital status got to do with anything?! Whether he is gay, difficult to relate to or just a plain obnoxious guy, that doesnt take away from the fact he is a better pianist than most of us...
I'm assuming I am going to encounter hectic opposition with these comments!
:'(
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Helloo-
This be an old post, but I have to say, lissin to Kissin play the Bach-Busoni Chaconne if you want to hear pure raw emotion and formidable power.
Cheerio!
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I heard Kissin play live in Jerusalem not too many months ago. His Scriabin etudes and Chopin Heroic Polonaise were just brilliant. I thought his level of emotion was high and his performances were captivating. The man is a genius enough said.
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I think he was one of the greatest child prodigies ever to grace the piano.
Perhaps, although is Rachmaninov 2nd concerto (played at 14 I recall) was the most disappointing I've heard.