Biography
Evgeny Kissin — pianist with roots in the USSR
Evgeny Kissin is a Russian-born classical pianist widely considered one of the greatest of his generation. He gave his first public recital at age 10 in Moscow, debuted at Carnegie Hall at 19, and has maintained a global concert career for over three decades. He is now an Israeli and British citizen.
Russian Connection
Tracing the roots — Moscow
Born in Moscow in 1971 to Igor Kissin and educated at the Gnessin School of Music, Kissin is the purest product of the Soviet classical piano tradition. Emigrating first to Israel and later obtaining British citizenship, he carries Moscow's conservatory culture to concert halls worldwide.
Family Tree
Subject
Evgeny Kissin🇬🇧 UK
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Self (Born there)
Igor Kissin
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Origin
Moscow🇷🇺 USSR
Historical context
Soviet Union (USSR) · 1922–1991
Moscow. At the time, this region was one of the fifteen republics of the Soviet Union.
Map: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Key Achievements
A career defined by ambition
01
Carnegie Hall debut (1990) — standing ovation, career-launching performance
02
First solo pianist to perform at the BBC Proms (1997)
03
Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist (1998)
04
Imperial Prize (Japan, 2015)
05
Honorary doctorates from multiple universities; Israeli and British citizen
"Music is not something I do. It is what I am."
Evgeny Kissin
Sources