Evgeny Kissin

Evgeny Kissin (Евге́ний Ки́син) (born October 10, 1971) is a well-known Russian pianist.

Kissin was born in Moscow. He commenced his piano studies at age two, and entered the esteemed Gnessin School of Music for Gifted Children. He first studied there with Anna Pavlovna Kantor and has continued to study with her to this day.

At the age of 10, Kissin made his orchestral debut and the year after that he gave his first recital in Moscow. Kissin's talents were manifested to the international scene in 1984, when he played Chopin's two piano concertos with the Moscow State Philharmonic.

On September 30, 1990, Kissin made his Carnegie Hall recital debut. Among many other pieces, he has recorded Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 and Piano Concerto No. 3 and Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 12 and Piano Concerto No. 20. He is considered by many musicians as one of the top pianists in the world.

Awards and Recognitions

Kissin was a special guest at the 1992 Grammy Awards.

• Musical America, Instrumentalist of the Year, 1995
• Triumph Award, Outstanding Contribution to Russia's Culture, 1997