Biography
Evgeny Kissin — pianist with roots in the USSR
Evgeny Kissin is a pianist, born on 10 October 1971 in Moscow. He studied at the Gnessin school with Anna Kantor, his only piano teacher, and first performed with an orchestra at the age of ten. In September 1990 he made his North American debut with the New York Philharmonic and gave a recital at Carnegie Hall. He became a British citizen in 2002 and an Israeli citizen in 2013.
Russian Connection
Tracing the roots — Moscow
Born in Moscow in 1971 to Igor Kissin and Emilia Kissina, he was trained at the Gnessin school in Moscow by Anna Kantor. He later became a citizen of the United Kingdom (2002) and Israel (2013).
Family Tree
Subject
Evgeny Kissin🇬🇧 UK
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Self (born there)
Igor Kissin
Emilia Kissina
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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
North American debut with the New York Philharmonic and Carnegie Hall recital (September 1990)
02
First pianist invited to give a recital at the BBC Proms (1997)
03
Grammy Awards for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (2006) and Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance with orchestra, Prokofiev Piano Concertos 2 and 3 (2010)
04
Herbert von Karajan Music Prize (2005)
05
Honorary doctorates from the Manhattan School of Music (2001), the University of Hong Kong and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
"Music is not something I do. It is what I am."
Evgeny Kissin
Sources