Chopin, Frédéric - Recital of - Kissin, Evgeny

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Firma Melodiya presents Evgeny Kissin at December Evenings in 1985. The recording of the unique previously unreleased concert of the world-famous pianist has been retrieved from the Firma Melodiya archives. This country got to know about the child prodigy Zhenya Kissin in 1984 thanks to the All-Union Radio nationwide broadcast the 12-year-old’s performance of Chopin’s piano concertos from the Grand Hall of the Conservatory. Five years later, he was known by the whole world. The records with his first recitals sold huge numbers of copies. What really amazed us about the young pianist was not so much his technique but his truly mature mastery and the depth of his interpretations. That is why the word “prodigy” did not seem suitable for Evgeny Kissin at all. In 1985 Sviatoslav Richter invited Evgeny Kissin to perform at the famous December Evenings Festival at the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow. His recital was recorded, but never released for unknown reasons. Now, thirty-four years later, Melodiya brings it back to the listeners. Evgeny Kissin’s performance was dedicated to the works of Frederic Chopin. His music was essential for the outstanding pianist’s career as it was a starting point Kissin’s artistic path. His interpretations of Chopin's miniatures and large-scale works (mazurkas, nocturnes, Fantaisie in F minor, Scherzo No. 2 and Polonaise in F sharp minor) are truly remarkable and still able to find a broad response among receptive listeners.