Evgeny Kissin, Valery Gergiev, London Symphony Orchestra - Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Études-Tableaux, Op. 39 (1993)

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Evgeny Kissin, Valery Gergiev, London Symphony Orchestra - Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Études-Tableaux, Op. 39 (1993)

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Evgeny Kissin, in case you missed the New Year's Eve international telecast from Berlin, is an 18-year-old Russian who is already the veteran of many a 'sensational' debut. As he proved in his accompaniment to Karajan's Tchaikovsky, he is already a considerable artist, with all the traditional Russian strengths of deep tone production, strong rhythm, clarity and expressiveness even under extreme virtuoso pressure. His Rachmaninov gives further evidence of an outstanding talent which one hopes his advisers, RCA included, will nurture patiently.
The first movement of his Rachmaninov Second is a little slower overall than Richter's (on DG) and the last movement a little quicker—which might surprise anyone familiar with that great interpretation. This is not, however, a performance of wild extremes, and we are spared the kind of tantrums sometimes passed off as the latest breakthrough in virtuosity. Kissin produces a quite wonderful solo opening, the crescendo as gradual and as ample as if on an organ; and in the main theme of the finale, where every pianist's ears prick up, his articulation has real star quality; later on he takes charge of the fugato with a fine sense of authority. The slow movement is most persuasively shaped, with a subtle desynchronization between the hands which just stays on the right side of mannerism.
Where he cannot yet match Richter (and who can?) is in the large-scale elasticity of tempo which can make the whole structure a living, breathing organism. The most obvious examples of that are at the third strain of the first movement first subject, where Richter and Wislocki allow a more or less identical tempo to pull towards its natural, slightly faster, centre of gravity, and at the point of recapitulation where they ensure that the stresses and strains of the development are not suddenly dropped—the collision of structural forces at this point is less than fully registered by Kissin.
No one should be surprised if this is not a performance to be put alongside Richter, or indeed Ashkenazy with his rather more conventional approach on Decca. More worthy of comment is the impression one gains of a serious musician, with heart, mind and fingers all working towards the goal of genuine artistic communication. Time will bring a more sharply focused individuality and daring to the playing, assuming that the publicity machine does not force the pace. One senses a genuine partnership with Kirov-based conductor Valery Gergiev, and a willingness to enter into musical dialogue with the orchestra. Recording quality is warm and full, the piano not unduly prominent.
Collectors might wish that Kissin had not omitted three of the Op. 39 Etudes-tableaux, but it cannot be denied each of the six here presented is given a strong, and not always predictable, identity. Thus the C minor No. 1 is unusually meticulous with a marked articulation, at some cost to the overall sweep, perhaps, but still mighty impressive, and the A minor No. 6 tempts one to reach for the kind of superlatives which can be such a mixed blessing to a young artist. Although he never steps outside the Rachmaninov idiom, there is more than a hint here that Kissin might soon be giving us some outstanding Prokofiev or Bartok.
One small chink in his armour is an occasional reticence in establishing a sonorous textural foundation in the bass; and I don't think it's just the sleeve-photo of Kissin's profile which suggests that he still has some filling-out to do. That's not to say that the playing is in any way small-scale, but there is certainly some scope for the sound to become more commanding.
In short then, a warm welcome to an outstanding young pianist, and I look forward to future recordings (perhaps in concerto repertoire with fewer than 20 available alternatives?).

–Gramophone

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Evgeny Kissin, Valery Gergiev, London Symphony Orchestra - Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Études-Tableaux, Op. 39 (1993)

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