Schumann: Piano Concerto & R Strauss: Burleske

A disciple of the great teacher and pianist Jacques Rouvier, native of Marseille and, at the time, having lived in the United States for several years, Hélène Grimaud realised, under the aegis of the Erato teams and in ideal conditions for blossoming, four superb discs that stand out for their very committed musicality. The first release – on 2 February 1996 – coupled the Schumann Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 and Richard Strauss's Burleske in D minor. The sessions took place in Berlin’s Jesus-Christus Kirche, in June 1995, with David Zinman accompanying the young musician. A believer in balances and meticulous, transparent textures, the conductor, a former disciple of Pierre Monteux, led Grimaud in a clear, balanced, Apollonian Schumann. Nonetheless, Grimaud's piano does not dissimulate her sincere, fervent, impassioned tone. Under the direction of the New York conductor, all in voluptuous caresses here at the head of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester of Berlin, the Intermezzo, with its full, fruity winds, carefully maintains its Andantino grazioso character, as lyrical as could be hoped, even though the soloist dares a rhapsodic tone and the most differentiated moods.

As a complement to the Schumann, Grimaud preferred Strauss's Burleske to the customary Grieg Concerto. With this well-balanced interpretation, of sumptuous energy, she doubtless contributed to a slight renewal of interest in the work, which calls for musicality, fieriness, and assured technique even before being transcendantal.