Ludwig van Beethoven Cesar Franck Johannes Brahms - Evgeny Kissin Beethoven Franck Brahms (35 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

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Ludwig van Beethoven, Cesar Franck, Johannes Brahms
Evgeny Kissin: Beethoven, Franck, Brahms
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (35) - Disc #1
1. Sonata Op. 27 No. 2 'Moonlight' in C Sharp: Adagio sostenuto
2. Sonata Op. 27 No. 2 'Moonlight' in C Sharp: Allegretto
3. Sonata Op. 27 No. 2 'Moonlight' in C Sharp: Presto agitato
4. Prelude, choral et fugue: Prelude
5. Prelude, choral et fugue: Choral
6. Prelude, choral et fugue: Fugue
7. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Theme
8. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation I
9. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation II
10. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation III
11. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation IV
12. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation V
13. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation VI
14. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation VII
15. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation VIII
16. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation IX
17. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation X
18. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation XI
19. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation XII
20. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book1: Variation XIII
21. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 1: Variation XIV
22. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Book II/ Variation I
23. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation II
24. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation III
25. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation IV
26. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation V
27. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation VI
28. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation VII
29. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation VIII
30. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation IX
31. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation X
32. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation XI
33. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation XII
34. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation XIII
35. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 Book 2: Variation XIV

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CD Details

All Artists: Ludwig van Beethoven, Cesar Franck, Johannes Brahms, Evgeny Kissin
Title: Evgeny Kissin: Beethoven, Franck, Brahms
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 2
Label: RCA
Release Date: 3/10/1998
Genre: Classical
Styles: Chamber Music, Forms & Genres, Sonatas, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830), Romantic (c.1820-1910)
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 090266891023

Synopsis

Amazon.com essential recording

A wizard of technical control since his prodigy days, Kissin simply uses this as a foundation to probe the depths of such core repertory items as the ones on this collection. It takes a truly subtle musicality and grasp to make the endlessly recorded Moonlight sound fresh, but Kissin has the goods, pulling the carpet from underneath and making you really notice, with his unsentimental, steady tempo, how unsettling Beethoven's harmonic fluctuations are in a first movement of startling inwardness. Kissin allows the middle minuet to blossom within the sonata's larger nightscape, while he pushes the finale's cri de coeur to its heaven-storming edge. He likewise traces the late-19th-century gothic labyrinth of Franck's Prelude, Choral et Fugue with an absorbing blend of delicacy and power. But the real highlight of this disc is the gloriously brilliant intensity Kissin brings to the Brahms Paganini Variations. Listen to how he parades a dizzying, dazzling series of moods--from caressing introspection and bone-crunching, steely chords to the giddy cross-rhythms of Book II, Variation 7--to match Brahms's magnitude of invention. This is pianism of the first order. --Thomas May

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CD Reviews

Amazing Recording!

Alex Serrano | 05/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Before I begin the review I want to explain something. I am a 13 year old boy and untill a few years ago I was into pop music just like most kids are. But one day my mother played me 2 recordings of Evegny Kissin and it changed my life! I am now a devoted classical music fan and attend many concerts. What CD did you here you may ask? Well it was this very one that I am going to review and the CD with the Bach/Busoni Chaccone on it. Now for the review: I own many versions of the first peice on this CD, The Beethoven "Moonlight Sonata," including Alfred Brandel's and Misha Dicter's, Kissin's is by far the best. The first movment is done very well and Kissin brings out the the melody and harmonys very well! The Second movment is played just as it is called for. Mr. Kissin plays it lightly and has alot of fun with it. And finnaly, the thrid movment is absolutley Brilliant! He Plays it fast and crisply and seems to put the accents in just the right place! Now I am not the one to Judge the Frank Prelude, Choral et Fugue but I very much enjoyed it. Paganini Variations are spectacular. I do not think that there has ever been any Pianist that has ever or will play this piece with such Dyamics and power. Its worth it to by this CD for just this Piece Alone! My Final thoughts are that this CD is one of his best and a good one for first time Kissin listeners, along with the Bach/Busoni Chaccone. (I hve a review of the Bach/Busoni Chaacone as well)"

Probably the best 'Kissin to date

Alex Serrano | Perrysburg, Ohio United States | 06/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must admit I picked up this cd with a little hesitation. After listening to glorious 'Kissin performances for Russian romantics, I did not feel he had the temperament for Beethoven or Brahms. But, there is no doubt indeed that this is an overwhelming performance. He brings so much excitement to this studio recording that you tend to forget this is a studio atmoshpere. The Beethoven is a marvel of articulation and depth, Franck glows in sound, and Brahms is simply hair rising. No doubt about it, Kissin proves his brilliancy and maturity. What can we expect further along the road?"

Phenomenal!

tenor_in_training | 05/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For many, this recording would be a revelation: the storm of emotions in Moonlight puts Kissin's account in a class of its own, the subtle intensity of Franck's Prelude, Choral and Fugue comes across as a colorful singing narrative, and Brahms's staggering Variations on a Theme of Paganini finally get the involvement and attention they deserve. Kissin is a poet at the piano, but his technique is beyond words - he uses incredible accuracy and tonal clarity as a supporting means of expression. The name that comes to mind of a pianist that possessed this kind of combination is Sviatoslav Richter, however Kissin engages in even more interpretative ventures, making his versions immediately unique.This CD is a definite jewel; even if you have these pieces on other recordings, I would still recommend you get this one. Interestingly, I think, the program here was arranged with intent. After Beethoven's Presto Agitato literally "shakes your world" one is ready for reflective, sophisticated Franck. And then Brahms's heart stopping Paganini variation will send you on a journey through the world of cascading melodies and intriguing and even whimsical twists and turns. This CD is guarantees to provide hours of listening enjoyment, for every time you play it, there will be something previously undiscovered waiting for you. RCA did a fantastic job of recording: the sound is real and spacious."

A Mixed Bag from Kissin

Hank Drake | Cleveland, OH United States | 10/02/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It goes without saying, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata is one of the most popular works in the piano repertoire, and anyone who plays it comes up against stiff competition. Kissin's performance, while serviceable, is not one for the ages. The opening movement plods along uneventfully at a virtually unchanging dynamic level. The middle movement (really an Intermezzo between the outer movements) is inoffensive but Kissin makes no attempt to bring out the various lines of the piece. He just highlights the melody like his teacher told him to do. The finale fares best. Kissin's fingers have plenty to do, and although he fiddles with the dynamics in parts, as a whole the movement works.

Franck's Prelude, Chorale and Fugue is one of the most unified works written for solo piano. But you wouldn't know it from Kissin's performance. I've never heard the Prelude sound so sectionalized and inorganic. I wonder if Kissin was trying to sound profound by playing it in this manner. (Kissin should listen to Rubinstein Rubinstein Collection, Vol. 68 playing this piece - the elder pianist knew how to highlight a work's structure without being pedantic about it.) The Chorale is given a very plain, flat run-through. Things liven up in the Fugue, which Kissin takes at a rather brisk tempo with some varied dynamics. But there is little sense of the mystery one expects when hearing this piece.

The Brahms Paganini variations is another matter. The spontaneity and verve missing from the Beethoven and Franck are in abundance here. Kissin achieves the dual distinction of dazzling the listener and making the variations cohere. This is one of the best Kissin performances I've ever heard. I'd love to hear him play the Brahms Handel variations.

The sound nicely balances immediacy and ambience."

The BEST Paganini Variations!

Hank Drake | 01/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I almost didn't buy this CD, though I'm a great fan of Kissin--I mean, how many versions of "Moonlight Sonata" does one need in one's collection? But I'm very glad I didn't pass it up, mainly for the Brahms Paganini Variations, which are the most beautiful, the most moving, the most musical that I've heard. I've played the CD many times, and I keep hearing new things each time that I've never heard from any other pianist's version. If you like this work at all, buy the CD NOW!"