Helele Grimaud-The Most Beautiful and Gifted Female Pianist

stenka razin · Post by **stenka razin** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:45 am

Even my wife commented on Helene's beauty, when the new July issue of Gramophone arrived, yesterday. So, since we have already had female and male violinists , I thought I would pay hommage to the strikingly beautiful and superbly gifted French virtuoso. If you have other female pianists who you think are as or more attractive and talented, please share with the forum.

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:06 am

I've met her and she really is beautiful. She is also a wonderful pianist and a dedicated, licensed, wolf conservator whose wolf refuge in northeast Westchester County is fascinating to visit.

absinthe · Post by **absinthe** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:18 am

Interesting.

Women, particularly beautiful women have much in common with pianos:

some are upright..., some are grand
.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:59 am

Ralph and I both collected her recordings on Denon, made when she was a teenager over twenty years ago, they have been re-issued on Brilliant Classics, but, I do agree that she is a very talented person, and a good friend to animals, especially Wolves...

Febnyc · Post by **Febnyc** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:25 pm

Yup - her conservation efforts do her credit. The Wolf Conservatory Center is within walking distance from my home. We've been there a few times and, once, actually met Ms Grimaud. In a pair of ragged jeans and a T-shirt - talking about her wolves and the upkeep of all the land under her aegis - she was as far away from the concert stage as she could be. I assume she loves performing; that's, no doubt, a given. But this attractive lady sure looked ecstatic in the woods with the animals.

Unusual, and impressive.

Werner · Post by **Werner** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 1:26 pm

Unusual and impressive, no doubt. But having head her several times and having some of her recordings, I'll happily leave it at the photographs and her love for the wolves.

Post by **Corlyss_D** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:15 pm

Febnyc wrote:Yup - her conservation efforts do her credit. The Wolf Conservatory Center is within walking distance from my home.

Her interest in saving wolves makes her unique.

Teresa B · Post by **Teresa B** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:43 pm

Well, I played along with the violinists, but aren't we getting just a li-i-i-ttle bit wearisome here?

I do admire her talent and her efforts toward wolves.
Teresa

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:52 pm

Teresa B wrote: Well, I played along with the violinists, but aren't we getting just a li-i-i-ttle bit wearisome here?

I do admire her talent and her efforts toward wolves.
Teresa

Teresa, I think that all of these beautiful pictures brings out the wolf in some of us lads

anasazi · Post by **anasazi** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:20 pm

I agree the lady is delightful to gaze upon. But at the risk of darts, I must say that of the recordings I have heard (I have not heard her play live) I did not like the tone she produced on the piano. Rather harsh to my ears.

Anton Webern · Post by **Anton Webern** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:27 pm

The Most Beautiful and Gifted Female Pianist

Well, since Oprah says so, it must be true!

I don't know whether she is the most beautiful female pianists (and i'm not sure i care enough to find out), but it's mighty arguable whether she is the most gifted.

And the thing with the wolves..., please.

Agnes Selby · Post by **Agnes Selby** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:49 am

Ah, some of you have not seen or heard my daughter, beautiful Australian pianist, Kathryn Selby! Werner has!

------------------

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:24 am

If she looks as beautiful and is as talented as her mother then I think we have a winner...

Agnes Selby · Post by **Agnes Selby** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:09 pm

Chalkperson wrote:If she looks as beautiful and is as talented as her mother then I think we have a winner...

---------------

Thank you, Chalkie. I am humbled by your words.

For Kathryn Selby please see:

www.selbyandfriends.com.au

For photo see under "Artistic Director"

Regards,
Agnes.

CharmNewton · Post by **CharmNewton** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 4:24 pm

Agnes Selby wrote:
Chalkperson wrote:If she looks as beautiful and is as talented as her mother then I think we have a winner...
---------------

Thank you, Chalkie. I am humbled by your words.

For Kathryn Selby please see:

http://www.selbyandfriends.com.au

For photo see under "Artistic Director"

Regards,
Agnes.

A very attractive group of youngsters. The 2008 season is a musical blockbuster. One terrific program after another.

John

Teresa B · Post by **Teresa B** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:12 pm

I second the Kathryn Selby nomination! And I have several of CD's of her playing trios as well as a couple of solo CD's, and she is a marvelous pianist.

Teresa

Agnes Selby · Post by **Agnes Selby** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 7:05 am

Thank you Charm and thank you Teresa,

The season is very good and the audiences excellent.
Canberra, our capital city is sold out for the entire season.
The girls are very popular.

And dearest Teresa, I am so glad you are enjoying the CDs,
Kathy enjoys yours as well and can't figure out why you ever
became a doctor and did not pursue your very obvious avocation.

Regards,
Agnes.

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 9:15 am

Okay, so how do I get Kathryn's CDs? I have a great Teresa collection and I'd love to hear the performances of our wonderful Agnes's undoubtedly brilliantly talented daughter.

TopoGigio · Post by **TopoGigio** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 9:33 am

Kathryn Selby is very mysterious,but the most mysterious was
Myra Hess
The Islers agree?

---
Myra Hess (1890-1965) was among an elite of pianists who approached their instrument as a means of conveying music as a spiritual experience. In her youth she was prepared by Tobias Matthay, who also instructed Clifford Curzon. Hess was in contact with violinist Jelly D'Aranyi, pianists Fanny Davies and Carl Friedberg, all acquaintances of Brahms. Her enlightened playing transformed even what sounded as passage work into significant musical statements. Her career began with a debut under Sir Thomas Beecham and made her an instant favorite with British audiences. Tours in the United States and throughout Europe endeared the public to her artistry. During the Second World War, the contents of London's National Gallery were emptied for safe-keeping during the threat of German air attacks. To bolster the public's morale, Hess organized and performed in hundreds of lunch time concerts at the Gallery. She was later ennobled for her efforts. Arturo Toscanini acknowledged her valiant effort by inviting her as one of the first European artists to perform in New York with his symphony after the war's end. It was a noble gesture, but the performance suffered from the Italian conductor's inability to allow the soloist to choose a proper tempo.

Like Artur Schnabel, Hess eventually modified her programs to dwell on the late sonatas of Beethoven, Schubert, suites by Bach, and Romantic era concertos. An avid chamber-music player, she collaborated with Pablo Casals, Pierre Fournier, Joseph Szigeti, and others. Illness in her last years curtailed her concerts but Hess was able to occasionally broadcast from the BBC studios. Hess hated to record but obliged and left several hours of disc recordings. Far more indicative of her playing are the radio recitals preserved and published on CD.
------------------
The Eminent English pianist, Dame Myra Hess, was a pupil of Julian Pascal and Orlando Morgan at the Guildhall School of Music in London. At 12 she earned a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music and became a pupil of Tobias Matthay, whom she viewed as her primary teacher.

Myra Hess made her debut in November 1907, at the age of 17, in Beethoven's Fourth Concerto, with Thomas Beecham conducting in London. The she performed throughout England. In 1922 she made her USA debut in New York. Thereafter she toured widely in Europe and the USA. In 1936 she was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Myra Hess was one of the best-known and most beloved of British pianists. She was a warm person and well liked, particularly in English-speaking countries, and visited America frequently. Her reputation was particularly enhanced by her innovative and deeply appreciated venture during World War II, the National Gallery Concerts. Wartime blackouts closed the concert halls of London. In the meantime, the National Gallery in London had been emptied of its art treasures, which were sent to parts of the country less vulnerable to German bombing. It was Hess's idea to open in 1939 the Gallery to the public for concerts every day during the lunch hours. Londoners flocked to these informal concerts. She arranged concerts from solo recitals to full-scale orchestral and choral music. She personally appeared more than any other artist (never asking for a fee), and got some of the finest musicians of the country to appear there. The effort was seen as a major boost to morale. In 1941 the grateful King George VI made her Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. It is said that when the artworks were returned to the Gallery in 1946, ending the musical series, that there was considerable disappointment.

After the War, Myra Hess commenced touring again and continued her notable career until her farewell concert in 1962. In addition to her solo engagements, and in a departure for pianists of her era, she also took a special interest in chamber music, including participating in a piano duo with her cousin Irene Scharrer.

In common with many artists Myra Hess adopted a wide-ranging repertory, including much music of her time, when she was younger, but focused increasingly on the great classic masters in later years. She was greatly admired for her interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schumann. Her playing was noted for both warmth and thoughtfulness. She made numerous transcriptions, of which one in particular, Bach's chorale Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring from Cantata BWV 147 (published in 1926), has become an international favourite with her audience.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:34 pm

I have always been a great fan of Dame Myra Hess, and have (I believe) all her recordings, she played lunchtime Concerts in Central London during the Blitz of WW2, in support of the King and Queen, who refused to leave Buckingham Palace, and of course she transcribed Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring...

Agnes Selby · Post by **Agnes Selby** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 5:00 pm

Ralph wrote:Okay, so how do I get Kathryn's CDs? I have a great Teresa collection and I'd love to hear the performances of our wonderful Agnes's undoubtedly brilliantly talented daughter.

-----

They are available on ABC Classics, Ralph but you have
my e-mail address and if you send me your postal address,
I will be happy to oblige.

Kind regards,
Agnes.

CharmNewton · Post by **CharmNewton** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 8:11 pm

Agnes Selby wrote:
Ralph wrote:Okay, so how do I get Kathryn's CDs? I have a great Teresa collection and I'd love to hear the performances of our wonderful Agnes's undoubtedly brilliantly talented daughter.
-----

They are available on ABC Classics, Ralph but you have
my e-mail address and if you send me your postal address,
I will be happy to oblige.

Kind regards,
Agnes.

Kathryn has also made recordings of Gershwin's Concerto in F and Rhapsody in Blue for Naxos (still in print). She's also recorded a chamber work of Martinu for Naxos, but it isn't clear which one from the Amazon.com listing. Amazon.com has also imported one of her discs of virtuoso piano works made for the Eloquence label (not sure if this is Australian Decca or an independent label).

John

Werner · Post by **Werner** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 11:39 pm

I have several of Kathy's CDs - both chamber and solo performances. Ralph, you'll be very happy when you encounter some of her musicianship.

But I want to come back to Topo's post regarding Myra Hess - a very vital name when you talk about female pianists. No glamor girl Myra - but she was a great pianist. Topo's post gives the essentials; Myra's many recordings tell the rest of the story. One of her recordings I love particularly - not a commercial studio source but a live performance with Bruno Walter and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra of the Brahms Secopnd Concerto, a large scale powerful performance that ranks with the best. It's available in a number of anthologies and is worth finding.

The comparison with Schnabel is an apt one, although they resembled each othr only in their level of artistry and, to some extent, in their repertory choices.

One of her best known students is Steven Kovacevich. Another pianist whom she mentored as a young artist was Bruce Hungerford, who maintained his friendship with her for the rest of her life. It was Myra Hess who introduced him to Carl Friedberg, with whom he worked for some five years. Bruce venerated "Papa Friedberg." After Friedberg died in 1955, Hungrford played a Town Hall recital in his honor, concuding it with Beethoven''s Op. 111 Sonata, a brief and eloquent speech, and the Hess transcription of Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," which became almost always a standard encore for him, as well as a declaration of faith.

Agnes Selby · Post by **Agnes Selby** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:30 am

CharmNewton wrote:
Agnes Selby wrote:
Ralph wrote:Okay, so how do I get Kathryn's CDs? I have a great Teresa collection and I'd love to hear the performances of our wonderful Agnes's undoubtedly brilliantly talented daughter.
-----

They are available on ABC Classics, Ralph but you have
my e-mail address and if you send me your postal address,
I will be happy to oblige.

Kind regards,
Agnes.

Kathryn has also made recordings of Gershwin's Concerto in F and Rhapsody in Blue for Naxos (still in print). She's also recorded a chamber work of Martinu for Naxos, but it isn't clear which one from the Amazon.com listing. Amazon.com has also imported one of her discs of virtuoso piano works made for the Eloquence label (not sure if this is Australian Decca or an independent label).
--------

Dear John,

There is another Kathryn Selby pianist. I think she is Canadian.

Our Kathy recorded Gershwin's
Concerto in F and the Rhapsody in Blue for Naxos in Bratislava
with the Slovakian National Orchestra. She has been often asked to
record more in the USA for Naxos but at present her place
is in Australia. Her children are still very young. However, Naxos are sponsors of her Australian concerts thereby keeping in constant touch with her. Every year Naxos artists are sent to appear on Kathy's series. This is the case this season as well with the Parker Quartet coming to join Kathy.

All of her other recordings are made by ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission).

Thank you so much for your interest.

Kind regards,
Agnes.

TopoGigio · Post by **TopoGigio** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 1:44 pm

Myra Hess

anasazi · Post by **anasazi** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:34 pm

Chalkperson wrote:I have always been a great fan of Dame Myra Hess, and have (I believe) all her recordings, she played lunchtime Concerts in Central London during the Blitz of WW2, in support of the King and Queen, who refused to leave Buckingham Palace, and of course she transcribed Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring...

A wonderful transcription I might add. I adore Fleischer's new recording of it. Dame Myra also transcribed the "Sleepers Awake" chorale Prelude as well (for piano). Both transcriptions are still in-print by the way, from Oxford University Press.

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:01 am

Love her.

Istvan · Post by **Istvan** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:19 am

Photographers can do wonders for an artist: Hélène Grimaud is not nearly as glamorous in real life. It is also a pity that, mainly because the fact of her liking wolves caught the public attention, she has overshadowed many pianists just as, if not more, talented, such as Klara Würtz or Nadejda Vlaeva. Above all, I find some of her playing quirky and she is a bit of a "banger".

P.S. Myra Hess was very beautiful - as opposed to just pretty - and of the type of beauty which lasted into old age.

slofstra · Post by **slofstra** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:42 am

The few CDs of hers that I have always have an interesting blend of repertoire. I enjoy the innovative programming.
I'm skeptical of the wolf thing, although I've not looked into it. To conserve wolves you need to preserve thousands of square miles of tiaga forest. So, I would rather support those kinds of efforts.
Her conservancy isn't just a fancy name for a 'wolf zoo', is it? There are a number of those kinds of things around. What does she do for wolves in the wild?

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:23 pm

Istvan wrote:Photographers can do wonders for an artist: Hélène Grimaud is not nearly as glamorous in real life. It is also a pity that, mainly because the fact of her liking wolves caught the public attention, she has overshadowed many pianists just as, if not more, talented, such as Klara Würtz or Nadejda Vlaeva. Above all, I find some of her playing quirky and she is a bit of a "banger".

Speaking as a Photographer I can easily see that she is way different in real life, the Gramophone Cover at the top of this thread gives that indication, sometimes a photogenic person looks very unphotogenic in real life...yeah, I agree about the Wolves, it elevated her to a Celebrity rather that a Musician...as for being a Banger that's absolutely true, I bought most of her DG recordings but i'm not buying any more because I don't truly enjoy her playing, I liked her about twenty years ago when she was a teenager and recorded for Denon...I have not heard Nadejda Vlaeva but I do like Klara Wurz, in fact Brilliant Classics just released two new discs by her, Vol.1 of a Schumann Series and a Childrens Album featuring Fur Elise,
Tchaikovsky's Album pour Enfants, Schumann's Kinderszenen and Debussy's Childrens Corner...both discs are very enjoyable and worth the modest price...

Post by **Lance** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 3:32 pm

Hmm, you should have been a PIANO TECHNICIAN, absinthe!

absinthe wrote:Interesting.

Women, particularly beautiful women have much in common with pianos:

some are upright..., some are grand
.

Steinway · Post by **Steinway** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 3:42 pm

Mel..

Grimaud is certainly attractive but I'd suggest she's got a long way to go to measure up pianistically with the likes of:

Argerich, Hewitt, Uchida, Pires, Tomsic, Wirssaladze, and Leonskaja

to name a few.

I've heard her live and listened to her recordings, and she's very skilled..but not always.

Regards.

Post by **Lance** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 3:49 pm

I am awaiting her new Bach album (including a piano concerto) on DGG.

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 3:54 pm

Cliftwood wrote:Mel..

Grimaud is certainly attractive but I'd suggest she's got a long way to go to measure up pianistically with the likes of:

Argerich, Hewitt, Uchida, Pires, Tomsic, Wirssaladze, and Leonskaja

to name a few.

I've heard her live and listened to her recordings, and she's very skilled..but not always.

Regards.

Cliftwood, what do you think about Piotr Anderszewski?

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:22 pm

Lance wrote:I am awaiting her new Bach album (including a piano concerto) on DGG.

It's OK but not great, Istvan's use of the word Banging is spot on...if I called Julia Fischer's Bach disc Above Average then Grumaud's disc is Below Average...IMHO of course...her ideas of adventurous programming may work fine in the Concert Hall but not on disc, I think she may have too much control over her recordings...DG probably signed her because of her looks, everything she has recorded for them has been pretty average...

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:25 pm

When I asked about the disc, no one replied.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:26 pm

Sylph wrote:Cliftwood, what do you think about Piotr Anderszewski?[/size]

I know you did not ask me but...His solo recordings have been very good, some of his Mozart Concertos less so...his Diabelli Variations, Syzmanowski and Chopin are excellent...

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:29 pm

Sylph wrote:When I asked about the disc, no one replied.

Probably because it was not released in the US until last week, it was released in Europa a while ago...

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:29 pm

Chalkperson wrote:
Sylph wrote:Cliftwood, what do you think about Piotr Anderszewski?[/size]
I know you did not ask me but...His solo recordings have been very good, some of his Mozart Concertos less so...his Diabelli Variations, Syzmanowski and Chopin are excellent...

Chalk!!!!

I have the discs, I have the discs. I am not asking about the discs.

(Same goes for Jaroussky, you suggested them to me when I already have them.)

Steinway · Post by **Steinway** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:48 pm

Sylph..

He's terrific. He gave a fine recital this year in Philly.

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:06 pm

Sylph wrote:
Chalkperson wrote:
Sylph wrote:Cliftwood, what do you think about Piotr Anderszewski?[/size]
I know you did not ask me but...His solo recordings have been very good, some of his Mozart Concertos less so...his Diabelli Variations, Syzmanowski and Chopin are excellent...
Chalk!!!!

I have the discs, I have the discs. I am not asking about the discs. (Same goes for Jaroussky, you suggested them to me when I already have them.)

I always thought that you knew the answer to the questions you asked, now I know for sure, i'll stop replying...

Sylph · Post by **Sylph** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:13 pm

Chalkperson wrote: I always thought that you knew the answer to the questions you asked, now I know for sure, i'll stop replying...

Are you hurt, Chalkie?

Chalkperson · Post by **Chalkperson** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:00 pm

Sylph wrote:
Chalkperson wrote: I always thought that you knew the answer to the questions you asked, now I know for sure, i'll stop replying...
Are you hurt, Chalkie?

I'm a perfectionist, I don't like getting things wrong...

Please send a list of all your CD's so I know when not to answer...

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Helele Grimaud-The Most Beautiful and Gifted Female Pianist

Helele Grimaud-The Most Beautiful and Gifted Female Pianist

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Kathryn Selby

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