Evgeny Kissin - Kissin Plays Schumann (2010)

This well-recorded compilation from recordings made between 1990 and 2001 collects all the Schumann recordings made for RCA and distributed by Sony. The earlier recordings feature Kissin as a young man in his early 20's and the later recordings feature him in his late 20's. This is a remarkable set in its entirety by virtue of its combination of Technical control, emotional maturity and imaginative fantasy leading to satisfying and exciting readings of all the presented pieces.

Disc 1 features the only orchestral piece, the piano concerto, and also the only 'live' recordings. So far as audience noise is concerned there is no evidence of their presence except through the applause at the conclusions. The concerto marries the thoughtfulness that one associates with the conductor, Giulini, combined with the technical assurance combined with youthful drive that one associates with the younger Kissin. This is a fine performance which combines elements of versions played by renowned interpreters such as van Cliburn, Fleisher, Kovacevich, Lupu, Argerich and Andsnes all of whom have been considered for this review. Collectors will have their personal favourites, mine is for van Cliburn, but Kissin deserves to be included in this list. The disc concludes with a 'live' performance of the Symphonic Etudes, notable for combining Pollini's technical control, Schiff's sensitivity and Alexeev's overall vision. This is a very fine performance indeed. The Abegg variations and Dedication/Widmung are given equally distinguished readings and the variations are in Imogen Cooper's class.

Disc 2 Features a delicately nuanced Arabesque and a performance of the Fantasy that matches Curzon's thoughtfulness and maturity with a noticeable gain in fantasy as is appropriate. The disc concludes with a performance of Kreisleriana that combines the best insights of Lupu, Schiff and Perahia with yet more examples of playful and youthful ardour typical of Kissin at this age.

Disc 3 was recorded a few years later and is the last of this short series. There are just two works - the early sonata 1 and the more familiar Carnival. The sonata is given a fine performance which easily matches the fine one by Vanessa Wagner in her DVD recital. Kissin offers a heavier reading which is a little less youthful than that by Wagner. However, this relatively rare work responds well to Kissin's reading which keeps a firm grip on the structures while allowing for emotional flexibility. The concluding Carnival is a particularly satisfying reading combining the technical assurance and imagination of Barenboim or Gavrilov for example with a winning sense of enhanced fantasy. This reading is the equal of any currently available.

In summary this set represents a special combination of technical control, emotional fantasy and youthful passion that clearly shows Kissin to be ideally suited to this repertoire. The recording is excellent and the price is very attractive. Collectors of multiple versions need not hesitate to add this to their collections and those interested in a single version would have to search very hard to find such satisfying readings and recordings so conveniently packaged. ~ I. Giles