Evgeny Kissin: Great Pianists of the 20th Century, Vol. 58

Few recent prodigies have endured like Evgeny Kissin. His technique is flawless, he articulates both notes and expression with a maturity beyond his years, and his romantic repertoire is some of the best available. Celebrated here as part of Philips's Great Pianist series, Kissin easily demonstrates his prowess. The first half of this set is dominated by Liszt interpretations. The Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 leads off the disc and is loaded with punch, while the Spanish Rhapsody brims with a true energy and confidence. The second CD, all Prokofiev, reveals the early talents of Kissin. The Visions fugitives hardly sound like they came from hands not old enough to drive. A live Carnegie Hall performance of Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No. 6--the same piece he chose to play at the age of 15 for the International Tchaikovsky Competition--delights. From the opening notes, it's apparent that Kissin has a grasp of the piece and it's no wonder it's still a staple of his concert performances. --Jason Verlinde