Evgeny Kissin - Haydn, Schubert: Piano Sonatas (1995)

Kissin still looks very much the boy in the cover photo of this 1994 recital, one of the earliest follow-ups to his rapturously received Chopin recitals, also on RCA. He is jsut as phenomenal here. His commanding technique is reined in for the two Haydn sonatas, yet he presses just enough on the classical line to make it sound more vibrant and enticing.

Richter made a great specialty of the Schubert A minor Sonata D. 784, yet Kissin steps up with his own less haunted, more heroic interpretation--it works extremely well. Both pianists rescue Schubert from his cliched role as a lyrical innocent, revealing his underlying Beethovenian aspirations.

But really the most fun here is Tausig's barnstorming arrangment of the familiar Schubert March Militaire, a baby piece that gets transformed into Godzilla--it's a grotesque change but an irresistible adventure. Kissin tosses off the murderous passagework and cross-ahnd prestidigitation as if they were child's play. Meanwhile, the listener sits agape and thrilled to death.