Hélène Grimaud, Piano

One of the most remarkable individuals of our time, pianist Hélène Grimaud is as renowned for her heartfelt, poetic interpretations and dazzling technical prowess as she is for her profound work as a conservationist and human rights activist—distinctions for which she received the Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest order of merit. She is an artist who defies all categorization, and fittingly brings a program that celebrates the unexpected for her long-awaited PUC debut—Beethoven’s most intimate yet revolutionary Sonata Op. 109, and Busoni’s transformative transcription of Bach’s beloved Chaconne, intended to “remove the dust of tradition.” At the core of the program are two pillars of the piano repertoire by Brahms, a composer especially close to Grimaud’s heart for his ability to, in her words, “always create a moment when time stops.” We have no doubt that she will cast her own timeless spell through every note of this unmissable recital, sharing her trademark ability to make these familiar works sound new once more.