Valentina Lisitsa vs. Evgeny Kissin

[cuberdrift]

Two of Russia's premier pianists, of about the same age.

One the author of Excalibur...



...the other, of S5 0014+813.



Which one do you think is the more proficient piano player?

Fight!

P.S. As an added query, how do these two modern-day piano titans regard each other?

[rachmforever]

this question is ridiculous like when you ask who is better composer Rachmaninoff or Chopin?  

[verqueue]

What's the point?

[ahinton]

What's the point?

None, of course - to say nothing of the fact that Kissin is Russian–British–Israeli and Lisitsa Ukrainian.

Best,

Alistair

[j_menz]

Which one do you think is the more proficient piano player?

Proficiency, in and of itself, is the virtue whereof pianist should be judged? Bah!

[perfect_pitch]

Two of Russia's premier pianists, of about the same age.

Oh dear... Valentina is Ukranian, not technically Russian. Get your facts right.

But, my vote is for Lisitsa... She's FAR better looking.    

[ahinton]

Oh dear... Valentina is Ukranian, not technically Russian.

As I had already pointed out.

But, my vote is for Lisitsa... She's FAR better looking.    

Well, that's your vote; neither of them turns my head, I'm afraid...

Best,

Alistair

[expressman70]

I like them both.  But really, this thread is pointless. You should instead read my thread and help me out with my repertoire question, and performance question. GRACIAS

[stevensk]

OMG, cant we just stop this "Your favorite" questions! Please!

[thalbergmad]

One plays like a horse and the other looks like one.

Thal.

[rachmforever]

One plays like a horse and the other looks like one.

Thal.

But you must be 100% perfect lol

[perfect_pitch]

One plays like a horse and the other looks like one.

Valentina doesn't play like a horse... Those are hands she has, not hoofs.

[8_octaves]

Speaking of the look, I like Valentina best!



 

PS.: I'm male!  

[thalbergmad]

Those are hands she has, not hoofs.

Judging by some of her Rachmaninov, you woold have trouble convincing me.

Thal

[8_octaves]

Judging by some of her Rachmaninov, you woold have trouble convincing me.

Thal

And this!

 

[thalbergmad]

Oh dear... Valentina is Ukranian, not technically Russian. Get your facts right.

He could be right in a few months.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

And this!

 

I cannot listen to Ravel as it gets on my nerves after about 30 seconds.

Thal

[8_octaves]

I cannot listen to Ravel as it gets on my nerves after about 30 seconds.

Thal

Don't LISTEN: look! 

Greetings, 8_oct!

[thalbergmad]

Looking is even worse. I think i would rather close my eyes and listen to that dreary French crap.

Thal

[outin]

Speaking of the look, I like Valentina best!

...
PS.: I'm male!  

And how is that relevant?

[cuberdrift]

You are all over Valentina Lisitsa and her "looks", but apparently the poll favors Mr. Kissin. I wonder why! 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

this question is ridiculous like when you ask who is better composer Rachmaninoff or Chopin?  

wHAT THE HELL YOU STOLE MY NAME!!!

[outin]

wHAT THE HELL YOU STOLE MY NAME!!!

And seems he/she also got your caps issues... In fact I suspect you are the same person

[stevensk]

-Any prize for the right answer? 

[chopinlover01]

Kissin has some decent recordings IMO. I like his La Campanella, and I also like his Chopin B flat minor prelude (though I still prefer Cziffra's recording), but there are many recordings of his I don't care for.
And yes, miss Lisista is Ukranian. Though I loved Thal's joke about that XD

[rachmaninoff_forever]

And seems he/she also got your caps issues... In fact I suspect you are the same person

HUH?

IMPOSTER!!!!!!

Why the heck would I make another account huh?

[outin]

HUH?

IMPOSTER!!!!!!

Why the heck would I make another account huh?

Because you like to live dangerously? 

[billyfisher100]

A difficult one, but it has to be Valentina, due to her astounding technical virtuosity.
Who is the better technician? Lisitsa of course
Who is the better pianist, however? Hard to say

[ahinton]

A difficult one, but it has to be Valentina, due to her astounding technical virtuosity.

Words fail me! She's more than merely competent, of course, but put her in front of a bunch of Chopin/Godowsky studies, the Alkan Concerto, the Busoni Concerto and Fantasia Contrappuntistica or almost anything of Sorabji and you'd soon be able to hear how much "technical virtuosity" she possesses...

Best,

Alistair

[stevensk]

 "...and you'd soon be able to hear how much "technical virtuosity" she possesses..."


-Yes, and I think she can play it while sleeping  

[ahinton]

"...and you'd soon be able to hear how much "technical virtuosity" she possesses..."

-Yes, and I think she can play it while sleeping  

Play what?

Best,

Alistair

[stoat_king]

Words fail me! She's more than merely competent, of course, but put her in front of a bunch of Chopin/Godowsky studies, the Alkan Concerto, the Busoni Concerto and Fantasia Contrappuntistica or almost anything of Sorabji and you'd soon be able to hear how much "technical virtuosity" she possesses...

I think you're being a little unfair.
If you have a quick look at this clip, you will see that Valentina's head is attached to her body by a spring, a bit like a jack-in-the-box.
It cant be easy to coordinate your hands with that going on.
Give her a break!

Anyway, regarding the question posed in the OP - I prefer Kissin to listen to, but Valentina to watch. lol

[thalbergmad]

Words fail me!

Very unusual, but i would accept that she probably lacks the technique as well as the mechanical facility to cope with the pieces you mention. Her Thalberg was pretty crap to.

Thal

[rmbarbosa]

I dont like Lisitsa piano playing. She has no soul...

[cuberdrift]

But she can play Scarbo. 

And that...Spanish piece by Liszt that...Liszt supposedly couldn't play...what was that again?

[stevensk]

Play what?

Best,

Alistair

-Play piano of course. She is a pianist

[stevensk]

I dont like Lisitsa piano playing. She has no soul...

-But YOU have a soul? -Are you sure?