Wild Harmonies: A Life of Music and Wolves

This rising artist has a deep sense and understanding of the various feelings and emotions that Beethoven had in his heart and soul when composing this music that are translated by Grimaud into a very beautiful,sensitive and masterful interpretation of his Piano Concerto No. 5...listening to this performance is truly a wonderful experience.

Well-written and insightful, it makes an interesting read. Grimaud is to be congratulated for her personal strength. Discussions about music are slightly unusual but enlightening in view of the academic language that dominates classical music debates today and bores everybody to death. Grimaud makes a case for personal and poetic approach to music discussions. From that point of view, this was a very refreshing book to read. References to animal world and the world of magic and myth make the book even more compelling and intriguing. Pianists will not, however, find too many secrets there about her career or practicing habits. Not even the regular piano world gossip.

I like the format of the book; the way Grimaud alternates between the myth, legend and folklore of wolves with her own individualistic musical biography and how the two come together at the end when she meets her first wolf in the flesh. "I have found my equilibrium... located between the wolves, the wildest form of nature, and the most refined music between heaven and earth." I admire her desire to do things her own way; learning English by watching hundreds of subtitled movies, dropping out of formalistic conservatory training against the advice of nearly everyone in favor of self-teaching through master classes, armed with a freedom and fierce individuality that female performers as Fanny Mendelssohn and Nannerl Mozart were never allowed. One of my favorite moments in the book is when told by teachers, "Don't come back to class unless you can play the required program," Grimaud disappears from school to teach herself Chopin's Second Piano Concerto, only to be chastised for doing so. "Oh, so I had taken the statement... (too) literally?" The book is excellently translated by Ellen Hinley, so it is a pleasure to read and savor the words as well as the story.

Horowitz once said that a great musician must first of all be well read and liberally educated. Hélène Grimaud not only satisfies those requirements but even writes her own books! Although she was a prodigy she is not of the machine-like version. Her aesthetic philosophy springs from personal experience and development which informs and enriches her music immeasurably! She weaves her interest in animals (she has a wolf preserve in upstate NY), culture and music into a single fabric. She could be a beauty who loves wolves and plays well but she is not a packaged gimmick. Her words take us from the nature of animals to the nature of man and how these are all relate to music as a cultural expression. Her music takes us on mythical forays in search of the mystery of what music is and what it does to us. (Elle "nous laisse devant l'absolu.") Do yourself a favor, get her book and spend the entire night reading her and then have a long breakfast sipping on tea and listening to her.

Wild Harmonies It was last Saturday, when I received your book "Wild Harmonies". I had forgotten I preordered it, so it was a pleasant surprise! I had very little planned for the weekend so, I sat down and devoured your stories. I went to sleep thinking of your theme "A wonderful harmony arises from joining together the seemingly unconnected" - This linked me to the spirit of Heraclitus - The first creativity teacher 500 BC. Connecting the Unconnected with elegance and honesty I remember seeing a picture of a musician holding a pear larger than life [like a big cello]. The musician's right hand is holding a bow caressing the invisible strings making pear harmonies which are fit for God's sensitive ears. I know I have seen this picture before. Someone attractive [subliminally] suggested that I look into my work bookcase. I follow the suggestion and I find the exact creativity card. "1988 Roger von Oech" Menlo Park California. What did I like in your book? * Your dislike of critical thinking * Being self referent * Being compulsive [my mom was so I understand this aspect] * Being more Spirit than Form * Your constructive thinking * Your understanding of the irony of legal arguments which serve special interests * Most of all the need to be a free spirit I intent to read your stories again to see what I missed. I am grateful you shared your journey with me.