Evgeny Kissin
Evgeny Kissin
Walt Disney Concert HallSouth Hope Street, Los Angeles 90012
Evgeny Kissin gives an all-Beethoven solo recital, opening with the composer’s Piano Sonatas No. 1 and No. 13 before intermission, then turning to the Diabelli Variations. Kissin frames the pairing as a view from Beethoven’s break with established traditions to the remarkable distance of his final years; the variations bring brilliance, mystery and humor to close the program.
Moscow-born Kissin has been a piano sensation since the 1980s and is particularly associated with Romantic-era classics.
Designed by Frank Gehry, this concert hall is a striking architectural landmark with sweeping stainless steel curves that catch the light outside, while inside, its acoustics are meticulously crafted to deliver rich, clear sound to every seat. The auditorium seats over two thousand people in a space where the audience is fully immersed in the music, surrounded by warm wood paneling and a stage that brings performers close to listeners. The venue hosts ticketed performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and other ensembles, offering an evening focused on attentive listening rather than casual socializing. Nearby bars and restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles provide options for pre- or post-show dining, but inside, the experience centers on the music in a refined, elegant setting.