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To mark the bicentenary of Chopins birth, two leading Russian pianists tackle the great Romantic composers two piano concertos: Evgeny Kissin plays the F minor Concerto op. 21, a key work in Chopins output, while Nikolai Demidenko performs the E minor Concerto op. 11, a virtuoso display vehicle of the first rank. They are accompanied by the Warsaw Philharmonic under the direction of Antoni Wit. Enthusiastically acclaimed by the audience at Warsaws Philharmonic Hall on 27 February 2010, this memorable concert has been captured in first-class sound and picture quality.
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The consistency with which Demidenko had conceived his interpretation was admirable. There was not a single remark in the score that was omitted or left without interpretation. () After the warm applause two encores were offered. --Magazyn Chopin
After the intermission we heard, for the first time, the rustle of angels wings. Muses were sitting at the balcony and after the final chord Nike descended on her wings from the vault of the Concert Hall, proclaiming the triumph of art. One does not witness such a power, skill and freedom of playing. Evgeny Kissin ravished the audience with his great poetic vision, the powerful creation that made an unforgettable impression. It was a giant fresco, where detail does not matter so much, as the big picture is of prominent importance. --Magazyn Chopin
The climax of Chopin's 200 birthday celebrations held in Warsaw late last February,this concert featured teo russian pianists offering contrasting views of the composer from the perspective of his two concertos.Having been present at this event ,I am happy to find all its excitement and musical depth preserved-and even amplified-on DVD.The filming at Warsaw's venerable Philharmonic Hall,that high temple of Chopinism, is very atmospheric. Performance, Picture & Sound ***** --BBC Music Magazine,Jan'11
After the intermission we heard, for the first time, the rustle of angels wings. Muses were sitting at the balcony and after the final chord Nike descended on her wings from the vault of the Concert Hall, proclaiming the triumph of art. One does not witness such a power, skill and freedom of playing. Evgeny Kissin ravished the audience with his great poetic vision, the powerful creation that made an unforgettable impression. It was a giant fresco, where detail does not matter so much, as the big picture is of prominent importance. --Magazyn Chopin
The climax of Chopin's 200 birthday celebrations held in Warsaw late last February,this concert featured teo russian pianists offering contrasting views of the composer from the perspective of his two concertos.Having been present at this event ,I am happy to find all its excitement and musical depth preserved-and even amplified-on DVD.The filming at Warsaw's venerable Philharmonic Hall,that high temple of Chopinism, is very atmospheric. Performance, Picture & Sound ***** --BBC Music Magazine,Jan'11
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
It is obvious that opinion is divided over this issue. Generally the Kissin contribution is considered outstanding by any standards. This is true - he fairly sizzles throughout the concerto then completely ignites for the encores!
Demidenko, on the other hand, has disappointed many purchasers, largely for not delivering the same type of brilliance. This is an easily understood reaction but I am not sure that it is quite fair to Demidenko (or maybe even Chopin!).
My personal view is that Demidenko is essentially deliberately taking a more introverted and reflective view. This is not as immediately appealing as it does not portray such surface glitter as could be achieved. However, I have found it to be perfectly satisfying on its own terms and over repeated viewing. It seems to me to be a viable alternative view - but only providing that you already have a livelier, more regular approach in your collection (and there are many to choose from). I certainly don't think the second concerto would have been capable of this view - but that wasn't tried!
So, best to see this as one obvious winner and one possible alternative view which you may, or may not, share. I think 3 stars would be unfair in view of this summary, hence the 4 stars. Maybe 3 and a half ....?
Further comment - I have found this DVD disc to be so sufficiently rewarding in terms of both musical values and recording values, sound and vision combined, that I have since sold it and replaced it with the Blu-ray version. Significantly, I have not regretted this additional investment as the Blu-ray version brings all the advantages of the expected additional recorded clarity at all levels and would be my primary recommendation.
Demidenko, on the other hand, has disappointed many purchasers, largely for not delivering the same type of brilliance. This is an easily understood reaction but I am not sure that it is quite fair to Demidenko (or maybe even Chopin!).
My personal view is that Demidenko is essentially deliberately taking a more introverted and reflective view. This is not as immediately appealing as it does not portray such surface glitter as could be achieved. However, I have found it to be perfectly satisfying on its own terms and over repeated viewing. It seems to me to be a viable alternative view - but only providing that you already have a livelier, more regular approach in your collection (and there are many to choose from). I certainly don't think the second concerto would have been capable of this view - but that wasn't tried!
So, best to see this as one obvious winner and one possible alternative view which you may, or may not, share. I think 3 stars would be unfair in view of this summary, hence the 4 stars. Maybe 3 and a half ....?
Further comment - I have found this DVD disc to be so sufficiently rewarding in terms of both musical values and recording values, sound and vision combined, that I have since sold it and replaced it with the Blu-ray version. Significantly, I have not regretted this additional investment as the Blu-ray version brings all the advantages of the expected additional recorded clarity at all levels and would be my primary recommendation.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
When you have two Russian pianists of equally great stature but of very different temperament and the premier Polish orchestra under its distinguished music director assembled for a concert in honor of the composer's 200th birthday, you can expect something very special. This it is indeed. The 2010 concert, recorded in excellent (uncompressed, transparent) audio and video in Warsaw's National Philharmonic Hall, surpasses my high expectations. Nikolai Demidenko's technically perfect, introverted and thoughtful approach to the Piano Concerto No. 1 sheds new light onto the score and will make you re-think the work. Evgeny Kissin, dazzlingly emotional and extraverted, brings off the Second Concerto with incredible bravura. Antoni Wit and his Warsaw Philharmonic musicians treat Chopin's (admittedly not highly accomplished) scores with care, finesse and vigor. Theirs is about the most inspired performance of the orchestral parts I have ever heard. There are brilliant encores from the pianists and endless, well-deserved ovations. This is a DVD to treasure. Get it while you can.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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2 reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
very interesting juxtaposition of pianists
8 Dec 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase
My first thought was wondering why they didn't use the same pianist for both concerti. But I enjoyed these so much, then I wondered what the results would have been swapping the two combos.
This is a lovely disc. Playing, orchestral contibution and conducting are all beyond reproach. Demidenko is the introspective one with Kissin being the flashier. I really liked the #1. Demidenko is poetic, playful, and treats each note individually. This is a longer concerto than #2 (40min. vs. 24), but it never lags.
Kissin's approach to the #2 (actually written before #1) is more fiery and he exudes much more exhibitionism - good for a concert, perhaps less so over repeated listening. I'll find out, because this is a disc to be played often. The encores are all well done.
The camera work is excellent, not at all intrusive, excellent color balance and saturation ( played on blueray upconverted to 1080p). The sound is likewise about perfect (I used dts, all channels equally balanced)
This is a lovely disc. Playing, orchestral contibution and conducting are all beyond reproach. Demidenko is the introspective one with Kissin being the flashier. I really liked the #1. Demidenko is poetic, playful, and treats each note individually. This is a longer concerto than #2 (40min. vs. 24), but it never lags.
Kissin's approach to the #2 (actually written before #1) is more fiery and he exudes much more exhibitionism - good for a concert, perhaps less so over repeated listening. I'll find out, because this is a disc to be played often. The encores are all well done.
The camera work is excellent, not at all intrusive, excellent color balance and saturation ( played on blueray upconverted to 1080p). The sound is likewise about perfect (I used dts, all channels equally balanced)
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
A sheer pleasure
17 April 2011
When you have two Russian pianists of equally great stature but of very different temperament and the premier Polish orchestra under its distinguished music director assembled for a concert in honor of the composer's 200th birthday, you can expect something very special. This it is indeed. The 2010 concert, recorded in excellent (uncompressed, transparent) audio and video in Warsaw's National Philharmonic Hall, surpasses my high expectations. Nikolai Demidenko's technically perfect, introverted and thoughtful approach to the Piano Concerto No. 1 sheds new light onto the score and will make you re-think the work. Evgeny Kissin, dazzlingly emotional and extraverted, brings off the Second Concerto with incredible bravura. Antoni Wit and his Warsaw Philharmonic musicians treat Chopin's (admittedly not highly accomplished) scores with care, finesse and vigor. Theirs is about the most inspired performance of the orchestral parts I have ever heard. There are brilliant encores from the pianists and endless, well-deserved ovations. This is a DVD to treasure. Get it while you can.
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