What are your thoughts on Evgeny Kissin?

[chuyerik]

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.

[mysKat]

HE IS SIMPLY AMAZING.

[Nightscape]

I find his name frightening.  It vaguely sounds like a porn star.

[ajmarti6]

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

[Skeptopotamus]

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.

[pianopoet]

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!
 

[steinwayguy]

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.

[pianopoet]

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...

[steinwayguy]

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.

[pskim]

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.

[keys]

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.

[pianopoet]

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...

[steinwayguy]

Kissin's Rachmaninoff Third is horrible. David Helfgott's Rachmaninoff Third is atrocious. And Walter Gieseking's (with Mendelberg) is horribly atrocious.

[aki]

I got a video file of Kissin playing the Rach 3, I  think it's amazing!

[pskim]

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.

[Nina_too]

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.

[Motrax]

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 ) 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

[Floristan]

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.

[Ed Marlo]

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.

[tibidi]

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.

[tibidi]

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!

[Ed Marlo]

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.

[tibidi]

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.

[tibidi]

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.

[iwy42]

he's just great!

[Regulus Medtner]

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!

[tibidi]

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.

[Regulus Medtner]

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.

[Motrax]

Out of curiosity, did Kissin ever record or perform Schubert's Impromtus? Thanks.

[brewtality]

his virtuosity was transcendental, nevertheless...

[Ziggy]

his virtuosity was transcendental, ( 20 second pause) nevertheless...



Fixed for ya 

[Da Bachtopus]

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...

[SDL]

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??]

[tibidi]

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.

[Ed Marlo]

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..

[lenny]

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?

[lenny]

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

[tibidi]

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.

[lenny]

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.

[tibidi]

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.

[lenny]

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!

[tibidi]

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.

[DarkWind]

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.

[lenny]

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.

[tibidi]

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?

[lenny]

kissin is criticised more simply because of his fame

much like langlang - if he wasnt as famous, not as much criticism would exist

[tibidi]

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!

[lenny]

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.

[tibidi]

I better speak less about Lang Lang here.

[Brian Healey]

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