Carnegie Hall Debut Concert

Kissin's U.S. debut recital confirmed his status as a major pianist. The Prokofiev Sonata No. 6, one of Kissin's specialties since he was in his early teens, is very fluent and impressive, but it doesn't have the power the music needs for maximum impact. In fact, a lack of really powerful bass from the pianist's left hand (not a fault of the recording) lightens the weight of his playing throughout. But both sets of Schumann Variations are convincingly played (and contrasted), and Kissin's Liszt playing is as dazzling as any you'll hear. --Leslie Gerber