![Bunin Plays Chopin and Debussy [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71C9QPA707L._SX300_SY300_QL70_ML2_.gif)
Bunin is three or four years older than Kissin, and needless to say, both are from Russia. But to most audience, Bunin is far less well known. Yet, Bunin won the Grand Prize in M Long in Paris when 17 and, and at 19 the first prize in Chopin Competition. Ashkenazy is of the view that pianists from behind the iron curtain are piano athletes instead of musicians. One only has to lend his ears to Bunin and see how wrong Ashkenazy could be.
When these pieces were filmed, Bunin was about 21 and viewers compare him to Rubinstein or the like. True, Bunin may well be one of the few giants of this generation. Don't forget that when Rubinstein was 21 (or even twice as old), he was not quite as good as Bunin in many ways-- Rubinstein was comparatively a late bloomer. Being a Polish himself, Rubinstein's Polonaise Op. 61. compares favourably with Bunin-- and I'm talking about the version filmed in his 70s. But Bunin's Mazurkas are better than Rubinstein's.
Musically, if not technically, Bunin is better than Kissin. He even reminds us of Sauer. Seeing the way he played, the level of concentration and also the dimension of his imagination plus the control and independence of his fingers..., there is evidence that he played even better than Glenn Gould... The only difference is, Glenn Gould was seeking some sort of "divine presence" whereas for Bunin, it is the virtuosity of Sauer plus Ignaz Friedman's imagination, so real and above all, so sensuous. His intonation is even more impressing than his predecessing Chopin Gold Medalists, Argerich and Zimerman. In Bunin there is also a sense of rhythm and articulation that is not always found in Freire.
For those who are impressed by Kissin, wait till you hear Bunin. Hear this young pianist at his early twenties whom viewers couldn't stop comparing him with the greatest of the superstars decades older than him when they performed.
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Top reviews from other countries
HDA
Pour 4 € un DVD sans image et sans son reste cher
Reviewed in France on November 1, 2017Ezio
Chopin & Debussy pianista Stanislav Bunin
Reviewed in Italy on December 8, 2011