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13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Universality for Grimaud's first Universal release., 24 Nov 2004
This c.d. is very much based upon Grimaud's belief in the concept of 'Universality' propounded by the poet Novalis, and others. In short and simply this is the idea that underlying the multifarious forms of sensible things we are all fundamentally connected, and that music is one way, albeit a uniquely potent one, to reveal and renew this connection. The forms of music are important in themselves, but also substantially as messengers of this spiritual conection, and that is the key to understanding the diverse nature of the music here. If you have any sympathy with any of this then you're likely to be interested in this disc, and love it as I did, but it's also interesting as an unusualy adventurous release from a major record label. It is very encouraging for long time admirers of this pianist, who has newly signed to the label and is of an independant mind. She seems to be deeply serious, and is an uncommon combination of passion and feeling with brains, and on this ground alone deserves a hearing. I wonder sometimes if she is at her best 'live', as witness her Brahms d min. concerto with Sanderling, and performances of the Bartock third concerto, due for a release on disc in Feb 2005, in which she is often inspired and inspiring (If you heard her play it under Boulez in London this year, you will want that recording.) The Part is live and seems the most telling piece here, although this might be because it brings to a conclusion what is, for this listener at least, an extremely moving programme. Music as redemptive can seem worse than a cliche, a bad joke when we are assaulted by so much noise, but if you already suspect that it might be so then these performances could convince you. Philosophy aside, what might appeal about her as a pianist is her willingness to take expressive risks, which on this disc tend toward the inward rather than the overtly dramatic, and although she can be virtuosic and dashing in performance, you might feel that we could have done with a little more of the latter in the choral phantasia, but that is to complain of the concept behind the whole. I wouldn't, and feel that here message and substance are perfectly linked. I hope more people like it and buy it - hopefully she'll get the chance to make some more along simmilar lines. That doesn't happen too often with this sort of thing, and so......over to you.
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~ Hélène Grimaud
~ Hélène Grimaud
~ Hélène Grimaud
by Helene Grimaud
~ Hélène Grimaud
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