Tharaud – Kiss, Piano Derby
Piano Recitals: Tharaud and kissin Offer divergent Bach Interpretations
LUGANO, Switzerland and MILAN – Within 24 hours of each other, pianists Alexandre Tharaud and Evgeny Kissin presented contrasting recitals, prompting reflection on their distinct approaches to classical music. Tharaud performed in Lugano on April 2, 2025, while Kissin took the stage in Milan on April 3, 2025.
Contrasting Programs, Shared Ground
Despite their different backgrounds – tharaud, born in 1968, is french, and Kissin, born in 1971, is Russian – both artists included Bach in the frist half of their programs, featuring the familiar sicilian. Tharaud offered his own transcription, while Kissin performed Kempff’s version as an encore.
Alexandre Tharaud: A Personal and Poetic Approach
Tharaud’s recital in Lugano featured:
- Bach: Choral Herr, User Herrscher from passion according to Giovanni, BWV 245; Sicilian from Sonata for Flute in E-flat Major, BWV 1031; Suite for Keyboard in A Minor, BWV 818a; Aria Aus Liebe Will Mein Heiland Sterben from Passion According to Matthew, BWV 244; Suite for Lute in E Minor, BWV 996
- Branch: Excerpt from Suite for Keyboard in A Minor, RCT 5
- Ravel: Weiry, Op. 43
- Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (piano version)
Tharaud’s performance emphasized personal transcriptions and expressive freedom. His Bach breathed with soft colors and generous use of the pedal, almost rewriting the music with capricious phrasing. In the second half, his ravel prioritized timbral effects over digital brilliance. He concluded with a piano version of Dukas’ The sorcerer’s Apprentice, highlighting the theatrical elements, followed by French chansons as encores.
Evgeny Kissin: Technical Mastery and Customary Interpretation
Kissin’s recital in Milan featured:
- Bach: Partita No. 2 in C Minor,BWV 826
- Chopin: Nocturne in C-sharp Minor,Op. 27 No. 1; Nocturne in A-flat Major, Op. 32 No. 2; Scherzo No. 4 in E Major,Op. 54
- Shostakovich: Sonata No. 2 in B Minor, Op. 61; Two Preludes and Fugues from Op. 87: no. 15 in D-flat Major and No. 24 in D Minor
Kissin, a celebrated pianist since childhood, demonstrated technical mastery and a traditional approach. His Bach was characterized by a bright sound, regular tempos, and meticulous attention to detail. His Chopin performances where notable for their dramatic phrasing and clarity. The second half was dedicated to Shostakovich, including the Sonata No. 2, a work requiring intense concentration from the listener. Kissin’s performance highlighted the music’s motoric nature and desperate vitalism.
Encores and Audience Reception
Kissin’s performance concluded with three encores: the Sicilian, a Waltz by chopin, and the scherzo No. 2, showcasing his exceptional virtuosity. The audience welcomed Kissin with overwhelming affection, filling the Sala Verdi.
Piano Recitals: Tharaud and Kissin Offer Divergent Bach Interpretations
What were the key differences in approach between Alexandre Tharaud and Evgeny Kissin’s Bach interpretations?
Two prominent pianists, Alexandre Tharaud and Evgeny Kissin, presented distinct interpretations of Bach within days of each othre. Tharaud’s approach was characterized by personal transcriptions and a more expressive, almost rewriting, style, employing soft colors and generous pedaling. Kissin, on the other hand, offered a conventional and technically masterful interpretation with a bright sound, regular tempos, and meticulous attention to detail.
When and where did these piano recitals take place?
The recitals were held in rapid succession:
Alexandre Tharaud: Lugano, Switzerland, on April 2, 2025.
Evgeny Kissin: Milan, Italy, on April 3, 2025.
What was on Alexandre Tharaud’s program?
Alexandre Tharaud’s recital in Lugano featured a diverse program including works by:
Bach: various pieces, including selections from Passion According to Giovanni and the Suite for Keyboard in A Minor.
Branch: An excerpt from the Suite for Keyboard in A Minor, RCT 5.
Ravel: Weiry, Op. 43.
Dukas: A piano version of The Sorcerer’s apprentice.
What was unique about Tharaud’s interpretation of Bach?
Tharaud’s performance of Bach emphasized a personal touch through his own transcriptions and expressive freedom. he employed