Track Listing

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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #58078 in Music
• Released on: 2006-09-12
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Titled Reflection, this CD program examines one of classical music's most fascinating triangles: the love between Robert Schumann and his wife, Clara, and their friend Johannes Brahms, who loved them both. There is music by all three composers here, and the almost 80-minute program is varied and fascinating. Robert's popular, stunning A minor Piano Concerto is played by Grimaud with romantic abandon but little sentiment; when it is showy, it comes from the music itself and is not an affectation. The first movement is filled with poetic vs. dramatic contrasts; there is a subtle but noble transition on piano and winds from the gently presented second movement to the springy, dramatically energetic third. Esa-Pekka Salonen is the remarkable conductor of the superb Staatskapelle Dresden. Grimaud then joins with mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter in three songs by Clara. Two, with texts by Rückert, are poems to connubial love and the third, "Am Strande," was composed as a gift for Robert's 40th birthday. Brahms's Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 1 in E minor is given a strong but lyrical and well-balanced reading by Grimaud and cellist Truls Mørk; both play with passion. Brahms's two Rhapsodies for piano complete the program; Grimaud gathers the darkness of the second and gives a fervent performance. What a beautiful CD! --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

A great Schumann, a very good Brahms, good value
If you are looking for a Schumann piano concerto that is not coupled with the Grieg, you've come to the right place. At first, this coupling may seem strange, but there is a compelling logic to it. Brahms was an intimate friend of the Schumanns (perhaps in more ways than one although there is no clear evidence to support this view). Clara Schumann was a fine composer in her own right, but has been overshadowed by her more famous husband (both she and Fanny Mendelssohn). Helene Grimaud proves herself to be up to the task here and she delivers a sparkling concerto performance as does the Dresden Staatskapelle orchestra (the same orchestra that premiered the work with Clara as the soloist). Five stars for her performance, five stars for the orchesta and five stars for the sound. Truls Mork recorded the Brahms E minor cello sonata previously, but coupled with the F major which is the usual coupling. The sonata was written in Brahms' youth and is full of energy, passion and stunningly beautiful melodies. Mork does not disappoint and Helene Grimaud is more than a competent partner. Her piano sings without overpowering the cello. A lovely performance, although I must confess that I am slightly more partial to Starker/Buchbinder. Very good recorded sound in the sonata. The two lieder are not familiar to me so I have no point of reference and can only say that Anne Sofie von Otter sings like an angel. (German and English texts are provided for the lieder.) The two piano rhapsodies are also unknown to me. They make a nice filler for this very fine disk but the piano gets a little clangy in the rhapsodies and I wish the engineering had been better. But no one will be buying this CD for the filler. Notes in English only. All in all, a very musical and well thought out and executed program.

Again, Some Interesting Programme from Ms. Grimaud
After the rather controversial latest release of Chopin and Rachmaninoff's Sonatas, Grimaud is back on the scene. This time with the music of the Schumanns and Brahms, the latter being the composer this pianist is often associated with. The result is an eclectic, engaging program - even though it may not be perfect. The programme is also designed to show listeners the different sides of Grimaud: as a soloist in a concerto, an accompanist, and a solo performer.

A famous work of the standard repertoire, Robert Schumann's "Concerto in A minor for Piano and Orchestra" is performed with unassuming clarity, pleasant balance, and most notably impeccable articulation. Grimaud, known for her adherrence to the original score and 'composer's intention' again gives a very sensitive rendition of this work. Although personally I think she lacks contrasts, color, and warmth in timbre, this rendition is logical and structurally well-built. Salonen provides great accompaniment to Grimaud, very sensitive although the relationship between piano-orchestra may not be developed to the point of say, Argerich-Rostropovich. When compared to Argerich's playing, Grimaud falls heavily on the conservative side. Her tempi are definitely slower than Argerich's both in the first and third movt. The downfall is that she does not utilize this moderate tempi to allow more interpretations and variation of tone color which Argerich does despite her quick tempi. Hers is then probably closer to that of Katchen's or Zimerman's - elegant, well-articulated, but unfortunately somewhat lacking fire and fluidity. Most praiseworthy in this recording is Grimaud's clean touch and articulation. There is a sense of control and confidence in every passages of this concerto, probably facilitated by her moderate tempi. Thanks to the great piano sound and recording, it is not hard to listen to all the voices she is trying to emphasize, an evidence of perfect articulation. You can easily hear all the notes in her quintuplet in the first minute of the piece without sounding 'busy' or dirty.

Grimaud's collaboration with von Otter on Clara Schumann's lieder are also praiseworthy. While some says Grimaud often overpowers von Otter, I personally don't think she does. Although I am not familiar with these lieder, they really are great songs. The piano accompaniment is utilized to its greatest potential and the melody is haunting. Both soloist and accompanist provide a passionate rendition. It is obvious that Grimaud chose a great order for these lieder, as the three forms a sonata-like combination - the outer lieder (Er is gekommen and Am Strande) being fiery while 'Warum' is serene and beautiful. The fact that the next work is Brahms' cello sonata gives a psychological effect that the album actually has three sonatas. However, it is in the Brahms' cello sonatas that Grimaud actually overpowers Mork in a quite obtruding manner. Grimaud the soloist seems to step over Grimaud the accompanist.

The Rhapsodies serve as the 'encores' but are actually my favorite pieces in the album. In both these Rhapsodies, Grimaud not only provides convincing, confident, and unique interpretation but also fire and passion which makes up for the cool Schumann Concerto. Although she maintains the same sense of control and balance, the first Rhapsody has great contrasts and tone color despite rather quick tempo. The second Rhapsody is relatively heavy and took on slow tempo but accurately conveys the 'agitato'. Very well done.

The booklet is somewhat rather disappointing despite the great photography works. While in 'Credo' and the Chopin-Rachmaninoff sonata album she offers great written insights and ideas, in 'Reflection', there is only a foreword (which I think is written by her, but not written so I'm sure) and a historical background of the composer. Pretty dull, considering you can find those stories in any music history books or Wikipedia even! These weaknesses are somewhat, although not completely, compensated by the beautiful photographs of Grimaud, especially when she wears white and the one in which she is playing the piano. Gorgeous!

All in all, definitely give this album a try. Besides the fact that it has an awesome rendition of Brahms' Rhapsodies, Clara Schumann's lieder, and Robert Schumann's concerto, it is also very generous (80 min) and has awesome pictures of Grimaud inside the booklet. It may not be your favorite rendition of the works, but it still has an addictive quality.

Understanding the Intricacies of the Schumann/Brahms Love Triangle
Whispers, poems, and pages have been floating around for years about the strangely romantic triangle that bound the composers Robert Schumann, Clara Wieck Schumann and Johannes Brahms - secrets that will be forever the purview of intuitive writers and philosophers and historians. This very intelligent and tender CD REFLECTION is one way of examining the closeness of these three remarkable and very human artists. And it is a complete success, musically and thoughtfully.

Incorporating some the finest artists available today this CD is the brainchild of the remarkable Hélène Grimaud, a pianist who not only is a remarkably fine artist but who also looks for more in her musical thoughts than merely the notes on the score. She offers here a collaboration with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Dresden Staatskapelle in an elegant and wistful performance of Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor, rich in subtleties and deeply felt melodic line.

Grimaud then partners with Anne Sofie von Otter in three songs by Clara Schumann: 'Er is gekommen in Sturm und Regen', 'Warum willst du and're fragen?', and 'Am Strande' - songs that give both artists the opportunity to remind us how gifted Clara was with song writing.

The third member of this remembered and honored triad is Johannes Brahms and his 'Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 1 in E minor' is performed with passion and grand scale by Grimaud and the gifted cellist Truls Mørk. Grimaud then closes the recital with Brahms' 'Rhapsodies for Piano Nos. 1 (B minor) and 2 (G minor)', sublime works that not only serve as a fitting closure to this thoughtful program but that also leave us with the desire for more Brahms from Hélène Grimaud! This is a very special recording, well produced technically, and one with which we are left with the feeling that both the Schumanns and Brahms would have warmly applauded. Highly recommended as one of the important issues of the year. Grady Harp, December 06