Track Listing

1. 1. Allegro affettuoso - Hélène Grimaud, Staatskapelle Dresden, Esa-Pekka Salonen
2. 2. Intermezzo (Andantino grazioso) - Hélène Grimaud, Staatskapelle Dresden, Esa-Pekka Salonen
3. 3. Allegro vivace - Hélène Grimaud, Staatskapelle Dresden, Esa-Pekka Salonen
4. 1. Er is gekommen in Sturm und Regen - Anne Sofie von Otter, Hélène Grimaud
5. 3. Warum willst du and're fragen? - Anne Sofie von Otter, Hélène Grimaud
6. Am Strande - Hélène Grimaud, Anne Sofie von Otter
7. 1. Allegro non troppo - Truls Mörk, Hélène Grimaud
8. 2. Allegretto quasi minuetto - Truls Mörk, Hélène Grimaud
9. 3. Allegro - Più presto - Truls Mörk, Hélène Grimaud
10. No.1 in B minor, op.79/1 - Hélène Grimaud
11. No.2 in G minor, op.79/2 - Hélène Grimaud

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #50682 in Music
• Released on: 2006-01-30
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .23 pounds
• Running time: 79 minutes

Customer Reviews

Reflecting on a loving friendship

'Reflection' explores the complex relationship between composers Robert Schumann, his wife Clara, and Johannes Brahms. The friendship started in 1853 when (Robert) Schumann met the 20 year old Brahms and made the comment in a music journal `Hats off Gentelmen, a genius'. Brahms certainly went on to prove the accuracy of this remark in his later works. Interestingly, he also continued his close friendship with Clara after her husband's death in 1856, and it evolved into a lifelong intimate and loyal loving relationship. Clara remarked on Brahms as `...my friend in the fullest sense of the word', while Brahms commented on her and her husband as `the most beautil experience of my life and represent its greatest treasure and its noblest moments'.

French pianist Helene Grimaud plays pieces from all three composers, the title `Reflection' I assume to be an acknowledgement of the complex intertwining relationship between the 3 composers which spilled over into their works - they are recognised as encouraging and inspiring each others music compositions.

Some people have doubted Grimaud's musical credentials, but on the strength of this album and the beautiful pieces - particulary Clara's `Lieder' and `Am Strande', with the lovely voice of Anne Sofie von Otter - I couldn't fault the interpretations and think this is a well considered and well performed varied selection of music.

Top of the Class!
The previous review was obviously written by a teacher! B+,A+ etc. - what's that about? Music isn't something you can 'mark' like this, and the reviewer does Ms. Grimaud a great disservice. Firstly it's a clever and interesting choice of music, bringing together pieces which, because they are not usually to be heard on the same disc (or stage), successfully introduce buyers to new listening experiences ... which can't be a bad thing.

As to Helene Grimaud's pianistic talents: she is one of the finest pianists around today. And I say that as someone who has heard, both live and on record, all of the big (and not so big) names in the classical field. There are plenty of technically brilliant pianists out there, but Grimaud marries technical expertise with a unique interpretive skill that makes her stand out in a crowded market.

So go on, treat yourself - and don't be swayed by what teacher tells you!

How good is Helene?
Re previous reviews, there is no doubt that the marketing people have tried to cash in (unsurprisingly)on HG's youth, beauty, Frenchness, etc. etc. - but she is a very fine musician and a very interesting person (read her two books!). She is a powerful and thoughtful pianist: her left-handedness is clear to hear and makes the texture of her performances of Brahms in particular very exciting. Programmes are imaginative and welcome for that. 'Reflection' and 'Credo' are higghly recommended.