Евгений Кисин

Early Life

Evgeny Igorevich Kissin was born on October 10, 1971, in Moscow, Russia, to Jewish parents. Recognized as a child prodigy at the age of six, he began his piano studies at the prestigious Gnessin Music School, where he was mentored by Anna Kantor, his only piano teacher. Kissin made his performing debut at the age of ten with Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20, and by twelve, he had recorded both of Chopin's piano concertos, marking his emergence on the international stage.

Career

Kissin's career took off in the mid-1980s, with his first performances outside Russia in Eastern Europe, followed by a tour of Japan. At just sixteen, he debuted in West Europe at the Berlin Festival and made his UK debut at The Lichfield Festival. His performance of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 with Herbert von Karajan at the Berlin Philharmonic's New Year's Eve Concert in 1988 garnered international acclaim. He made his North American debut in 1990 with the New York Philharmonic and has since performed with leading orchestras worldwide, including a historic solo recital at The Proms in London in 1997. Kissin is celebrated for his interpretations of Romantic composers, particularly Chopin, Schubert, and Liszt.

Personal Life and Views

In his personal life, Kissin married childhood friend Karina Arzumanova in Prague on March 10, 2017. He has been vocal about his political views, notably criticizing the Russian invasion of Ukraine and composing a piano trio in response to the conflict. Kissin's artistic journey reflects not only his musical genius but also his commitment to social issues, as evidenced by his declaration as a foreign agent by the Russian government in 2024 due to his outspoken views.