The Romantic Piano

CD1

1. Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18; I. Moderato
2. Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18; II. Adagio sostenuto
3. Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18; III. Allegro scherzando
4. Philharmonia Orchestra/Vladimir Ashkenazy: Maurice Ravel: Piano Concerto in G major: II. Adagio assai
5. Philharmonia Orchestra/Vladimir Ashkenazy: Maurice Ravel: Piano Concerto in G major: III. Presto
6. Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/David Zinman: Strauss: Burleske in D minor: Allegro vivace
7. Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/David Zinman: Strauss: Burleske in D minor: Tranquillo
8. Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin/David Zinman/George Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F major: III. Allegro agitato 6.56

CD2

1. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58: I. Allegro moderato (cadenza by Beethoven)
2. III. Rondo — Allegro non troppo
3. I. Vivace ma non troppo 3.46
4. II. Prestissimo 2.28
5. Johannnes Brahms; Fantasien, Op. 116; I. Capriccio — Presto energico
6. Johannnes Brahms; Fantasien, Op. 116; VII. Capriccio — Allegro agitato
7. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110; I. Moderato cantabile, molto espressivo
8. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110; II. Allegro molto
9. Brahms: Intermezzo, Op. 117 No. 2: Andante non troppo
10. Brahms: Klavierstück, Op. 118 No. 3: Ballade — Allegro energico
11. Brahms: Klavierstück, Op. 119 No. 3: Intermezzo — Grazioso e giocoso
12. Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54; I. Allegro affettuoso

Hélène Grimaud’s particular fascination with the music of German composers – from Beethoven, the father of musical Romanticism, through Schumann and Brahms to the late Romanticism of Strauss – is reflected in this 2-CD set, which also embraces music by Rachmaninov, Ravel and Gershwin. A pianist who combines intellectual and philosophical rigour with a readiness to take risks as she strives for expressive freedom, Grimaud is motivated by a profound personal belief in the power of music: “Music changed my life - it gave me a sense of purpose and direction. It saved me.”