Mozart: Piano Concerto, K. 414. Shostakovich: Piano...

Mozart: Piano Concerto, K. 414. Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1. Haydn: Piano Concerto in D. Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2. Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3. Evgeny Kissin, piano. Various orchestras and conductors. RCA Victor 60567-2-RC. (2 CDs). Kissin has been lauded by the critics, and his recent Carnegie Hall debut drew national attention. Perhaps his chief recommendation is that he has not won a competition, or even entered one. Make no mistake, a world-class virtuosity is very apparent here, but so is musical maturity. There aren’t many 19-year olds who can play Mozart, after all, with such depth of understanding, such warmly singing graciousness. Kissin reveals a mastery of all the styles presented on this disc, and in general strives for clarity of line, long, unhurried phrases and subtly directional shadings. He avoids brilliance for its own sake and never pounds, even in Rachmaninoff. A major talent, and scheduled for Hollywood Bowl this summer.