Helene Grimaud – Reflection (2 CD, APE)

Performer: Anne Sofie von Otter, Hélène Grimaud, Truls Mörk
Orchestra: Dresden Staatskapelle
Conductor: Esa-Pekka Salonen
Composer: Johannes Brahms, Clara Wieck Schumann, Robert Schumann
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 2
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Size: 369 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

01. Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.54 – 1. Allegro affettuoso
02. Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.54 – 2. Intermezzo (Andantino grazioso)
03. Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.54 – 3. Allegro vivace
04. 3 Lieder, Op.12 – 1. Er is gekommen in Sturm und Regen
05. 3 Lieder, Op.12 – 3. Warum willst du and’re fragen?
06. Am Strande
07. Sonata for Cello and Piano No.1 in E minor, Op.38 – 1. Allegro non troppo
08. Sonata for Cello and Piano No.1 in E minor, Op.38 – 2. Allegretto quasi minuetto
09. Sonata for Cello and Piano No.1 in E minor, Op.38 – 3. Allegro – Più presto
10. 2 Rhapsodies op.79 – No.1 in B minor, op.79/1
11. 2 Rhapsodies op.79 – No.2 in G minor, op.79/2

Thoughtful

I think this CD is, as is always the case with Helene Grimaud, thoughtful. As with her other recent thematic offerings, I appreciate the effort in putting together something more than an unrelated selection of pieces. In this case, we have a program which reveals in musical form the relationship between the Schumanns and Brahms — a story I recently read about in the Brahms’ biography by Jan Swafford, which in turn greatly piqued my interest in this album. The performances are, all around, very moving and the sound well balanced between instruments (and, in the case of the lieder, vocalist). Bravo, Ms. Grimaud, for another wonderful effort!