Pianist Hélène Grimaud In Recital At Walt Disney Hall

Pianist Hélène Grimaud performs at Walt Disney Concert Hall as part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association's Colburn Celebrity series on Wednesday, January 10, 2007, at 8:00 p.m. The program features the Bach/Busoni Chaconne, Chopin's Barcarolle and Berceuse, Brahms' Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79, and Rachmaninoff's Sonata No. 2.

Grimaud has received much praise from critics with the recording of some of the selections for this recital including: Brahms' Op. 79 Two Rhapsodies from her most recent CD Reflection (with Esa-Pekka alonen), The Guardian called it "another overwhelming performance," and "A truly great achievement;" Gramophone described Two Rhapsodies as "playing with thrilling immediacy "¦.a welcome grandeur..." Regarding the Chopin and Rachmaninoff selections, the London Standard said "volcanic, a force of nature. "¦ persuasive, insistent, mesmeric."

The Colburn Celebrity series offers virtuoso performances by world-renowned artists. Remaining concerts in the series include Hilary Hahn, violin (January 21, 2007); Alfred Brendel, piano (March 13, 2007); Garrick Ohlsson, piano (April 27, 2007); and Chanticleer (May 3, 2007).

Born in Aix en Provence in 1969, pianist HÉLÈNE GRIMAUD was accepted by the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris at age 13, where she won the first prize in Jacques Rouvier's class in 1985. The year 1987 marked a turning point in her career with appearances at MIDEM in Cannes and at the piano festival La Roque d'Anthéron, her first solo recital in Paris and an invitation to perform with the Orchestre de Paris under Daniel Barenboim. In 2006 she made appearances throughout the USA, Europe and in Japan, including concerts with the London Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, St Petersburg Philharmonic, the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Gulbenkian Orchestra, Wiener Symphoniker and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra (London Proms), as well as recitals at New York's Carnegie Hall, with the LSO Chamber Ensemble (Barbican).

Grimaud peformed at the Baalbeck International Festival in Lebanon, the Lucerne Summer and Piano (November) Festivals, and the Musikfest Bremen. In 2002 Grimaud signed an exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon; her latest recording, Reflection, which features works by Johannes Brahms and both Robert and Clara Schumann, with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting, was released to high acclaim in spring 2006. Her previous recordings on DG include Credo (orchestral and solo works by Beethoven and Pärt), a Chopin/Rachmaninoff recital disc, and Bartók's Piano Concerto No. 3 recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra and Pierre Boulez.

A CD of works by Bach is planned to be recorded for international release in 2007. A recipient of numerous awards worldwide, Grimaud was appointed Officier dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministère de la Culture in 2002 and she was awarded the "Victoire d'honneur" at the French "Victoires de la Musique" in 2004. She is the author of two books, Variations Sauvages and Leçons Particulières, both published by Editions Robert Laffont.

Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, presents the finest in orchestral and chamber music, recitals, new music, jazz, world music and holiday concerts at two of the most remarkable places anywhere to experience music - Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to a 30-week winter subscription season at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the LA Phil presents a 12-week summer festival at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. In fulfilling its commitment to the community, the Association's involvement with Los Angeles extends to educational programs, community concerts and children's programming, ever seeking to provide inspiration and delight to the broadest possible audience.

By www.laphil.com