Kissin’s Mozart!
This is another wonderful recording by Evgeny Kissin, just issued 12 July 2010, in this case his first recording as pianist-conductor. Kissin, who is well known for his playing of Brahms, Scriabin and Rachmaninoff, reminds us that Mozart’s concerti can withstand both bold playing, and also slower, thoughtful interpretation in the tender areas of the music.
The choice of the dark D minor concerto K466, with cadenzas by Beethoven, and Mozart’s last concerto in B flat K595, suits Kissin’s boldness and individuality. I liked Kissin’s playing of these two concerti, with strong support from the Kremerata Baltica orchestra.
The CD tracks are:
- 1.Piano Concerto No.20 In D Minor K466: I. Allegro
2. Piano Concerto No.20 In D Minor K466: II. Romanze
3. Piano Concerto No.20 In D Minor K466: III. Rondo
4. Piano Concerto No.27 In B Flat Major K595: I. Allegro
5. Piano Concerto No.27 In B Flat Major K595: II. Larghetto
6. Piano Concerto No.27 In B Flat Major K595: III. Allegro
Evgeny Kissin won the 2009 Grammy® Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance with Orchestra for his recording of Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos.2 & 3 with the Philharmonia Orchestra, led by Vladimir Ashkenazy.
For me, these performances were very satisfying. Kissin’s music has a bit more of a “bite”, and he makes it delightful, highly musical, and totally exciting.
Here’s a wonderful video of Kissin performing Mozart’s piano concerto #27, the last concerto that Mozart composed. Listen to that wonderful lyricism, precise technique, and delightful phrasing that is absolutely on top of this performers abilities!