Brahms: Piano Sonata; Klavierstücke

Read About This Recording

Pianist Hélène Grimaud has sparked some controversy among the staff here at the Society. On this disc, a teenaged Ms. Grimaud performs piano music by Brahms, and it goes without saying that she does so quite well. But, while some of us gape in awe of Grimaud's aptitude (a reviewer in Le Monde declared "she made herself a name in a matter of hours" as a 16-year-old student of Jorge Bolet), others among us are left wanting more … perhaps something more like Evgeny Kissin or Daniel Barenboim's renditions of Brahms' Piano Sonatas (see MHS #5191457 and #8010897, respectively).

It is not uncommon for members to wonder why we issue many artists' versions of the same monumental compositions and our answer is simple: because the interpretation DOES matter. What moves you about these performances may be precisely what exasperates your fellow members. But back to the music.

That fresh-faced young woman you see on the cover of this disc is the same Hélène Grimaud we have featured in these pages before. And these performances, while admittedly recorded during the early part of her career, are not lacking in finesse or technical perfection. As a young girl, Grimaud expressed an early interest in three pursuits: classical studies, sports and art. Luckily for us, she chose to focus on the piano.

On this disc from 1991, Grimaud performs an all-Brahms program, including his Piano Sonata No. 3 and the 6 Klavierstücke, Op. 118. In the liner notes, Andrea Zschunke notes that "Brahms' works for the piano cannot be considered as music specially suited for virtuosos" and yet Grimaud openly defies that statement in her music-making. By the ripe old age of 22, she has clearly earned her place among classical pianist virtuosi and this recording only serves to further her stature.

Thus, it is without reservation that we recommend this title. Whether it becomes a favorite in your library is a decision you alone can make, but we welcome your comments and feedback on this and future selections. Our goal is to help our members build a music collection which each of you can be proud of and enjoy. And this disc should fit the bill.

—Elaine Sutcliffe

Contents

Piano Sonata No. 3 in F Minor, Op. 5; 6 Klavierstücke, Op. 118: No. 1: Intermezzo in A Minor; No. 2: Intermezzo in A Major; No. 3: Ballade in G Minor; No. 4: Intermezzo in F Minor; No. 5: Romanze in F Major; No. 6: Intermezzo in E-flat Minor.

Hélène Grimaud, Piano.