Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Given his lineage and earliest recordings, one might not have expected Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin to deliver such poised and polished readings of Beethoven's Second and Fourth piano concertos. This was, after all, the pianist who turned in sumptuous Rachmaninoff and expressive Shostakovich before he turned 21, and many listeners expected Kissin to grow into a more or less typical Russian super virtuoso, specializing in the highly emotional music of his countrymen. Instead, Kissin has developed into not just a super virtuoso, but a refined and eloquent pianist whose crisp attack, brilliant tone, and effortless technique are ideally suited to Beethoven's most Classical concertos. Unfortunately, Kissin seems to have left his deeper emotions back in the USSR. The outer movements of the Second Concerto have the appropriate lift and drive, but the central Adagio seems entirely too prosaic. Similarly, the Fourth's opening and closing movements are nicely self-assured, but the dramatic central Andante con moto seems oddly distracted, as if Kissin were not fully involved in the music. Accompanied with impeccable distinction by Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra, this recording may be of interest to Kissin's followers, but it is unlikely to take a place in the pantheon near the greatest recordings of the past. EMI's digital sound is rich, lush, and colorful, but more than slightly muffled.
© TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Stephen Johns, Producer - Evgeny Kissin, Piano, MainArtist - London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Sir Colin Davis, Conductor, MainArtist - Jay David Saks, Producer
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2008 Parlophone Records Limited
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Stephen Johns, Producer - Evgeny Kissin, Piano, MainArtist - London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Sir Colin Davis, Conductor, MainArtist - Jay David Saks, Producer
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2008 Parlophone Records Limited
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Stephen Johns, Producer - Evgeny Kissin, Piano, MainArtist - London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Sir Colin Davis, Conductor, MainArtist - Jay David Saks, Producer
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2008 Parlophone Records Limited
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Stephen Johns, Producer - Evgeny Kissin, Piano, MainArtist - London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Sir Colin Davis, Conductor, MainArtist - Jay David Saks, Producer
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2008 Parlophone Records Limited
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Stephen Johns, Producer - Evgeny Kissin, Piano, MainArtist - London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Sir Colin Davis, Conductor, MainArtist - Jay David Saks, Producer
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2008 Parlophone Records Limited
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer - Stephen Johns, Producer - Evgeny Kissin, Piano, MainArtist - London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Sir Colin Davis, Conductor, MainArtist - Jay David Saks, Producer
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2008 Parlophone Records Limited
Album review
Given his lineage and earliest recordings, one might not have expected Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin to deliver such poised and polished readings of Beethoven's Second and Fourth piano concertos. This was, after all, the pianist who turned in sumptuous Rachmaninoff and expressive Shostakovich before he turned 21, and many listeners expected Kissin to grow into a more or less typical Russian super virtuoso, specializing in the highly emotional music of his countrymen. Instead, Kissin has developed into not just a super virtuoso, but a refined and eloquent pianist whose crisp attack, brilliant tone, and effortless technique are ideally suited to Beethoven's most Classical concertos. Unfortunately, Kissin seems to have left his deeper emotions back in the USSR. The outer movements of the Second Concerto have the appropriate lift and drive, but the central Adagio seems entirely too prosaic. Similarly, the Fourth's opening and closing movements are nicely self-assured, but the dramatic central Andante con moto seems oddly distracted, as if Kissin were not fully involved in the music. Accompanied with impeccable distinction by Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra, this recording may be of interest to Kissin's followers, but it is unlikely to take a place in the pantheon near the greatest recordings of the past. EMI's digital sound is rich, lush, and colorful, but more than slightly muffled.
© TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 6 track(s)
- Total length: 01:06:08
- Main artists: Evgeny Kissin Sir Colin Davis London Symphony Orchestra
- Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
- Label: Warner Classics
- Genre: Classical
A Warner Classics release, © 2009 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 2008 Parlophone Records Limited
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.