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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Evgeny Kissin: The Gift Of Music


Genre: Documentary

Reviewed In Issue 41 (Sept 2000) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Evgeny Igorevich Kissin

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 3.5
DD Sound Rating: 4.5
DTS Sound Rating: NA
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: NA
Internet Links


Special Features
Includes cast and crew biographies, a production notes booklet, theatrical trailer, and a hidden goodie.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): BMG Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 09026 63609-9
(MPAA Rating): Not Rated
(Rating Reason):

NA
(Retail Price): $24.98
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 104
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 1999
(Theatrical Release): No
(Direct-To-Video Release): Yes
(DVD Release Date): 04/04/00
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Christopher Nupen
(Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
(Story): Subscribe Now!
(Music): Subscribe Now!
(Director Of Photography): Subscribe Now!
(Production Designer): Subscribe Now!
(Visual Effects): Subscribe Now!
(Costume Designer): Subscribe Now!
(Editor): Subscribe Now!
(Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
(Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
(Executive Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Co-Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Producers): Subscribe Now!
(Academy Awards): Subscribe Now!

  DVD Picture Information

(Principal Photography): Subscribe Now!
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!
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(Measured DVD Letterbox Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!

  DVD Sound Information

(DVD Soundtrack): Subscribe Now!
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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Evgeny Kissin began playing the piano at the tender age of two. His immense ability was apparent even then and his Russian parents enrolled him at the Moscow Gnessin School Of Music For Gifted Children at age six. This documentary film chronicles his meteoric rise to international fame and allows us to follow him during his preparation and rehearsals for his performances. There are several selections of his remarkable concerts including the memorable Promenade Concert performed at the Royal Albert Hall in August of 1997.

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 1.78:1 DVD exhibits a rich solid picture with good resolution. Colors are vibrant and nicely balanced, though some scenes seem a bit oversaturated. Blacks are deep and solid. Some scenes are softly focused and minor edge enhancment is noticed. Though image quality is not superb, fans of classical music should not be disappointed with this wonderful story. An overall pleasing presentation.

Soundtrack:
The PCM stereo soundtrack has been mastered at higher than reference film level. The recordings of the performances are first-rate and fully capture the emotional intensity of the works performed by this great pianist. The audio does collapse to mono at times.