Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin has shared an unusual public message following his recital at Symphony Center on May 17, saying he was prevented from performing more than one encore because the hall needed to prepare the stage for another event.
In a video published on his Instagram account after the concert, Kissin said he felt “truly inspired” performing in Chicago’s Orchestra Hall and praised the audience, but explained that someone backstage informed him there was only time for a single encore.
“For the first time in my life, when the program was over, a person backstage said to me, ‘We are running out of time. We have time for one encore,’” Kissin said in the video.
The pianist added that he had prepared more music for the occasion and apologised directly to the audience.
“I always prepare at least three encores, and I hope that I shall always be able to play as many encores as I prepare and as you, my dear listeners, my dear friends, would like me to play,” he said.
Kissin’s recital formed part of the SCP Piano series and featured a programme spanning more than a century of repertoire, including Piano Sonata No. 7 by Ludwig van Beethoven, mazurkas by Frédéric Chopin, Kreisleriana by Robert Schumann, and Hungarian Rhapsody by Franz Liszt.
Public comments by major classical artists about backstage scheduling decisions remain relatively rare. Kissin, who is known for offering multiple encores during recitals, framed the incident not as criticism of the audience, but as regret that he could not continue playing longer for listeners.
The full video message can be viewed below.
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