Central to
Hélène Grimaud's first live album for Deutsche Grammophon is the significance she finds in the slow movement of the Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488, of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This movement is a touchstone for her, insofar as she regards it as the most sublime music, "where you find the real Mozart." She has also stated, "Even if this movement were all we had, that would be enough." Because of the emphasis
Grimaud places on this poignant Adagio in F sharp minor, listeners may be tempted to cut to the chase and skip the other tracks to hear her interpretation. But to get the full impact and intent of her Mozart, listen from the beginning of this album. The Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major, K. 459, opens the disc, and is followed by the Recitative and Rondo, K. 505, from Idomeneo, performed by guest soprano
Mojca Erdmann.
Grimaud's playing and conducting of the Bavarian Radio Chamber Orchestra are brisk and boisterous, and her approach is direct and energetic, as fans have experienced in her many recordings of Romantic repertoire. She saves her most expressive playing for the Allegretto of K. 459, which is an amiable diversion, and the above-mentioned Adagio of K. 488, which in
Grimaud's hands is a dark and troubling exploration of the soul. Note: the cadenzas in K. 459 are Mozart's, but the first movement cadenza of K. 488 is by Ferruccio Busoni.