ConcertPulse
Evgeny Kissin
Konserthuset Stockholm, The Main Hall (Stockholm)
Evgeny Kissin has been part of the absolute elite among the world's concert pianists for several decades. His debut solo recital took place when he was merely seven years old, and at the age of twelve, he gained international attention as a soloist in Chopin's two piano concertos performed alongside the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. It has been many years since he left Russia, and he has been vocal in his strong criticism of the invasion of Ukraine. He has graced the stage of Konserthuset Stockholm on multiple occasions, most recently in 2011.Kissin is a unique pianist and personality who harnesses the virtuosic possibilities of the piano without turning it into mere spectacle. Through what sometimes appears as purely intuitive ability, he conjures musical magic with his delicate touch, well-placed pauses, and ecstatic expression.In this eagerly awaited return visit, he performs a selection of renowned works by composers close to his heart. We hear Chopin's expressive Fantasie, Brahms’ emotionally charged Ballades Opus 10, and Prokofiev's Second Piano Sonata – a piece ranging from lyrical melodies to aggressive brutality. The concert commences with Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 27, where the searching sentiment of the first movement and the melodic beauty of the second movement reflect Beethoven's exploration of musical romanticism.