The New York Concert

Pianist Evgeny Kissin joined forces with the Emerson String Quartet for a powerful recording made in front of a live audience at Carnegie Hall.

Kissin is world-class solo pianist, which makes this release somewhat unusual as he doesn’t play much chamber music.

Perhaps he should. The recording is electric, showcasing five high-caliber performers creating a beautiful, expressive sense of ensemble even while the individual voices remain distinct and artful.

The recording includes Mozart’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor K 478, Fauré’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor op. 15 and Dvořák’s Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major op. 81.

By all accounts the concert’s encore was spectacular, and it’s also included on the recording: the scherzo from Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet in G minor op. 57.

What a collaboration – let’s hope for more.