Search - Johannes Brahms, Hélène Grimaud :: Hélène Grimaud ~ Brahms - Piano Pieces Op. 116-119

A very complex recording, certain to be controversial

Justin Weaver | 11/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Behind the Grimaud diva-persona presented on the cover is a complex interpreter whose interesting, although by no means universally praiseworthy interpretations of late Brahms on this recording are destined to controversy.In a way, her ambiguous stance toward the music makes the CD a to-own, a worthy addition to the collection of connoisseurs who already own say, five recordings of all these haunting 'lullabies of sorrow'.But, alas, that's the problem really... there just isn't enough 'sorrow' in Grimaud's youthful soul-thrashing approach to the music, although there is a good dose of 'haunting'. She makes the Intermezzi press forward (A Major) or lean back (e minor) too much; or else glosses over moments of surreal beauty that others might dwell on.In spite of it all, however, I really like this recording. It has a sort of 'involved detachment' only a young French woman living in the US could pull off-- Grimaud's is a 'postmodern' and 'pan-cultural' reading of Brahms. Ego there is (we could do without THAT many breathing sounds!); but late at night in the lamplit hazes of pre-sleep, I think Helene fit to conjure the shade of Brahms, the old master, in his maturest reflections."

Wonderful and moving

Justin Weaver | 03/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of my top 2 favorite CDs from Ms. Grimaud. I really wish I could hear her perform a recital of this disc. It's great, I don't know of many recordings for these works. Too bad Brendel won't record them, that would be fun to hear. Anyway, Grimaud's playing on this disc really made me take notice of Brahms' music more than ever before, so I must thank her for this. These works from Brahms are some of the most persona;/intimate masterpieces ever written for solo piano, and that intimacy comes across very well in this recording. Much better than Grimaud's Beethoven recordings."

Excellent

David Ramos da Silva | BELGIUM | 09/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is simply excellent. Helene Grimaud's interpretation is very intense, and at the same time the pianist seems extremely concentrated on what she is doing, and knows perpectly well what these late-Brahms pieces are about. Even with such a strong personality - which makes her playing quite easily recognisable - she is still faithful to the score.

Highly recommended."