Evgeny Kissin: The Gift of Music

Starring:Evgeny Kissin
Studio: RCA
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

An excellent DVD and the great traditions/interpretations go on!
A Few Days With a Piano Master
Just had to comment....
Inspirational
Mediocre at best

Evgeny Kissin: The Gift of Music
Starring: Evgeny Kissin
Director: Christopher Nupen
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

Documentary | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

Herbert Von Karajan - New Year's Concert 1988 - Prokofiev Symphony No. 1 & Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 / Kissin
The Art of Piano - Great Pianists of 20th Century
The Verbier Festival & Academy 10th Anniversary: Piano Extravaganza
Christopher Nupen - We Want the Light / Vladimir Ashkenazy, Daniel Barenboim, Evgeny Kissin, Zubin Mehta, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman
Carnegie Hall Debut Concert

ASIN: 6305785023
Release Date: 2000-04-04

Customer Reviews:

An excellent DVD and the great traditions/interpretations go on! .......2007-05-05

This DVD is a decided plus to your video classical music collection. First, it had the touch of Christopher Nupen who is no stranger to the realm of documentaries [check out his "We Want the Light" DVD] and of course Evgeny Kissin who I believe is an excellent interpreter of not just the war-horse pieces [Chopin in particular] but, well, hey, let me cut to the chase here, simply observe his reception by the Proms [UK] audience [1997] which I can tell you is an endorsement that can not be film-maker contrived!

Other audiences world-wide follow suit at his remarkable pianistic abilities. Perhaps Christopher Nupen said it best in the documentary itself, "This man has a gift, of its kind, one of the finest and one of the rarest [...] at this evening's recital [in the south of France], Evgeny will play over 30,000 musical notes, all in perfect sequence, all in delicate balance and all from memory. That is a feat beyond the imagination of most people. And he will do it with a limpid clarity given to very few. [...] Not now and again but again and again."

I like Evgeny Kissin. I like both his playing and his stage demeanor or presence if you will which, in my view, enhances the overall classical piano recital experience. I'm not a great fan of facial muggings or contorsions gone amuck for that matter [I won't go into names but I believe the reviewer Mr. Burke is with me on that one with regard to a name or indeed names therein] nor any histrionic gyrations at the piano or, quite frankly, key banging being passed off under the guise of some sort of 'tour de force' kind of thing. You know, comes the stringed instrument and 'it ain't playing unless there are broken strings!'

So too, I'm a confirmed traditionalist [A shout from afar: "There's a revelation!"] and so I responded in kind to those of the quill fraternity who felt Evgeny's requisite and in fact traditional 'classical' artist recital bowing to the audience [and all points of same therein depending on the hall configuration] was allegedly "wooden and romantic era passé." No doubt these are the same wags who ballyhoo for classical pianist formal attire to be abandoned as well as the orchestra to boot in a sort of Friedrich Gulda 'come as you are' style. Ahhh, and speaking of which, there is Gulda doing the "Emperor" 5th piano concerto in mufti, as it were, and conducting [!?] at the same time and a lone soul claps after the first movement so when nothing is heard after the second movement, he rises from the keyboard and announces in 'die Sprache' ["the language" -- German], "Na' und?" [and so? In effect, no clap?].

But those kind of stage antics that were unique to Friedrich Gulda [1930-2000] are one thing while Evgeny Kissin carries on the tradition of the era and its music. It has nothing to do with being a product of the "Russian school" as it does matters of appropriate demeanor and concurrently rendering the classical piece composer equal 'due' as it were. Why it seems to bother certain journalists that Evgeny still remains single and prefers to live with his family wherever he goes wholly escapes me but I suppose these journalistic types equate write-ups in the various tattle-tale or gossip inspired rags for outrageous behavior as no doubt the 'measure' of having truly arrived! Right. In effect, if there are no warts or social behavior outrages, something must be decidedly wrong!

Altogether a first rate DVD with informative interviews and excellent playing. One doesn't 'set-up' repeated encores either. World wide. They are requested, indeed demanded, by an audience for a reason! In this case, a very good reason! Evgeny Kissin.

Doc Tony

A Few Days With a Piano Master.......2006-12-31

This biography is a decade old now, but I still find it wonderful to watch and listen too. The sound quality of the DVD is top notch as are the performances. If you enjoy classical piano at its best, I highly recommend this. You won't be disappointed.

The film itself focuses on the music rather than delve too deeply into the details of this wonderful pianist, although the interviews with Kissin provide some insight to his past.

Instead, the director of this film seemingly wanted to showcase the magic of Evgeny Kissin on the job, rather than turn this into the definiative account of Evgeny Kissin the man. Think of this more as "A few days in the life of Evgeny Kissin".

Kissin is truly one of the greats of our time. His technique is quite strong but, more importantly, it is his ability to get as close as possible to what Beethoven, Liszt and Chopin had intended when composing the notes that separates him from many other artists of our day. While listening, I found myself thinking, "So that's what Chopin was trying to say." I believe Kissin is so celebrated because of his ability to communicate the very thoughts of the composers in the notes. It is a special ability and this DVD provides us a glmpse of some of that musical genius at work, and for that, it comes highly recommended.

Just had to comment...........2006-07-24

I wouldn't be reviewing this title if it weren't for the gaping wound I suffered from falling off of my chair when another reviewer suggested that "he was disappointed with Kissin...after watching Lang Lang(!)" What? I am drowning in a vat of incredulity.

On those rare occasions, having medicated myself heavily, when I have gathered the intestinal strength to actually listen to Lang Lang play, I find myself wondering, "what the heck is that guy playing?" It's Helfgott all over again! I recall recently hearing something familiar--La Campanella--I think, being played on NPR and thinking, "Well that has to be some kid from a regional talent show." It was Lang Lang! And of course, when twinkle-tinkle got done with his "interpretation" (a heinous crime if you ask me) the commentator (like the reviewer below) gushed in sync with the hype and publicity machine about LL's greatness. Yikes!

This DVD is excellent and a must have even though the interviewer is obviously star struck. Kissin has a transcendental greatness about him that has cemented his superstar status. The interviews were of great interest but as usual the questions I begged were not asked. That's ok. I especially appreciated the long performance sequences which ensure that I will watch the DVD many, many times. I know some will disagree (though plenty will concur) but in the pantheon of piano greats Kissin will be legendary with Horowitz and Cziffra. After the hype-machine finds another "star" to inflict on the world, cLang cLang, will join the ranks of the temporarily notable and strangely once-was. If you don't believe me then leave Amazon and read what some of the professional reviewers have had to say about Kissin and the cLang cLang. Read the shocked disappointment and utter dismay that followed in cLang's wake when he recently toured the Far East.

Get this DVD and enjoy it as a glimpse into the life and gifts of one of the greatest pianists to have ever played the instrument. Kissin is not as powerful as Cziffra but he is more reliable and prolific; and more precise than Horowitz. This DVD is a steal at twice the price. Get it; you will be inspired and amazed.

Inspirational.......2006-06-10

If you are looking to study Kissin's life, some reviewers are correct to say that only the basics of Kissin's life are covered. But I don't think the makers of this film were out to create a documentary. I think they were also out to inspire audiences. There is a great amount of piano playing in the video, a lot of which comes from Kissin's legendary concert in Royal Albert Hall. You can hear many of the pieces played in full, including many of the encores. If you aren't INSPIRED after watching this video, there is something wrong with you. Don't buy it to become educated, buy it to become inspired.

Mediocre at best.......2006-01-01

As others have mentioned, the interview is absolutely senselessly horrible. With such bad questions, it's a wonder Kissin was even able to come up with something to say. As a documentary, this thing isn't even worth watching!

Kissin is well over-rated as a pianist. Oh, he has a certain level of virtuosity which is difficult to obtain (I play a little myself) but I was actually very very disappointed by his playing. After watching pianists like Lang Lang (Live at Carnegie Hall) and Yundi Ll, Kissin actually pales in comparison at a similar age. I don't even want to compare him to someone like Horowitz or Rubinstein, since they are in a different league all together. His Chopin is worth a look, but of course the footage detracts from his performance. I bought the DVD to see Kissin's technique and to get a sense of his performance. Yet through at least half of the film you either a) don't see his hands, b) see his hands from far far away, or c) you get the quarter or half of the piece he's playing cut off. For example, we only see the second half of Liszt's "Liebestraum" and Chopin's Nocturne (Op.27 No.2)! What's the point?

There is some good footage in there which is worth seeing if you, for some reason, are a fan of Kissin. He is by no means a bad pianist, but he is by no means a great one. Kissin's attempt at "La Campanella" is absolutely nothing in comparison to Li. Kissin can play the notes, but he doesn't give one a sense of the amazing virtuosity of Liszt like Li seems to. I also saw a clip of Kissin playing a Scriabin Etude (Op. 8 No. 12) which is not on this DVD. As an example, it doesn't leave much open for interpretation, but after hearing Horowitz play it, Kissin really is just banging his hands on the piano. On this DVD, you see a few similar attempts at virtuosity, which I have no other footage to compare to. In my opinion, all of those attempts failed (in my opinion). He can play the notes, yes. But his playing is quite hollow.

I don't see what all the fuss is about . . . he has some good Chopin, but if you're just looking for some good performance footage like I am, this is not the place to find it.

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