Search - Evgeny Kissin, Schubert :: In Recital / Wanderer Fantasy

A wonderful program of very fine performances by a great pia

Craig Matteson | Ann Arbor, MI | 03/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is no denying the virtuosity and musical sensitivity of Yevgeny Kissin. This disk has a great deal of what Kissin offers on display. This performance of Schubert's "Wanderer Fantasie" is terrific. He shows the ability to present a large form piece coherently and with a technical ease that allows him to musically shape even the most difficult passages. While it is not my favorite recording of the work, I find this quite convincing and learned from it.



The four Schubert transcriptions by Liszt are excellently played. From the poignant ache of "Gretchen am Spinnrade" to the delightful joy of "Hark, Hark, the Lark" to the ache of the "The Miller and the Brook" and the glory of "To Sing on the Water". Kissin shows a great range and again, makes it all sound so easy.



Then Brahms Opus 116 is also an interesting choice for this disk. These are seven short works but are late Brahms and require musical maturity to go with the technique. I think I enjoy this performance of these pieces about the most I have ever heard. They are worth listening to again and again.



The last work on the disk, the Liszt "Hungarian Rhapsodie No. 12" is a problem for me. Kissin plays it with great virtuosity and each portion sounds great. However, this is not great music. I hate to say it, but it isn't. To pull it off, the pianist has to bring a sense of conviction to it. Even if he doesn't believe it himself, he has to make the audience believe that HE believes this is great music. Otherwise it comes across with a wheeze and you can here the handle cranking on the music machine. I am afraid that as well as Kissin plays the work, it did not convince me."