Hélène Grimaud plays BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto # 5 / Paavo Järvi -Frankfort Symphony

Acclaimed French pianist Hélène Grimaud gives an exhilarating performance of Beethoven's Emperor Concerto from 2008.
Paavo Järvi accompanies her as he conducts the Frankfort Symphony Orchestra.
Is this close to perfection?
Who are your greatest living Pianists?

[andrewmayzak]

Good lord everyone is having a GREAT night here… Grimaud, Jarvi, the FSO, the audience, Beethoven, even the concert hall. Everything has become more than the sum of its parts. What a joy.

[stevenhubbs]

This woman is one of the greatest living pianists.

[GordonStainforth]

Absolutely dazzling. I must have heard/seen this concerto well over 200 times over the last 55 years of my life but this is probably the greatest I've ever heard. Here the piano and orchestra are not two separate entities but Grimaud is part of the orchestra, and 'comes in and out of it' like magic. Everything is clear as a bell; nothing is fudged; any 'ornamental' phrases are all brought out clearly as part of the whole. She shines particularly in the last movement with extraordinary power, momentum and clarity. And, in the quieter passages, withering beauty. 11/10.

[mulcio]

Absolutely close to perfection if not perfection!! Beethoven has to be proud❤. What a beautiful performance!!!

[netmendo]

Simply, she is the greatest pianist alive as she combines virtuosity and emotion as no other.

[ianwright]

When I hear Helene play Beethoven I imagine him giving her his smile of approval

[chrisfalconer]

Every time I see Hélène with her wolves at her New York wolf sanctuary, I can't help thinking her career could be over if one of them ever bit her. This is mutual trust to the ultimate. Beethoven's 5th is my favourite piano concerto and she is my favourite pianist.

[claudestoclet]

Le talent, la grâce, l'intelligence, la beauté, elle a tout.

[supawels]

Seit 66 Jahren habe ich in diesem Konzert zig-mal immer wieder neue Überraschungen entdeckt, so auch heute von dieser großartigen Helene Grimaud.

[tszabados]

This was a heart-warming performance! I felt that here comes the Spring, here comes the Sun, after a long winter (I am writing it on February 28, 2023). Thank you Helene Grimaud, thank you Paavo Jarvi and orchestra!

[aslanaltun]

I listen to piano concertos a lot. This concerto by beethoven is an incredible piece of work... perhaps the only piece I've listened to over and over again... and Helena Grimaud is chatting with Beethoven with her magnificent playing... it is as if she has lifted him up... Wonderful...

[anandsamuel]

Helene Grimaud is DIVINE! Awesome performance of this glorious Beethoven concerto!

[Ybbsitz]

Schönheit in Ausdruck und Anschlag- wunderbar- wundervoll- eben Helene Grimaud

[MrVincent]

All the comments here have already said what I would have to say about the playing in this recording. I would add that in no other recording of this concerto is there such an ideal balance of sound between the soloist and the orchestra. This recording sounds so present and real in space, as if (and this sounds paradoxical) I hear all the music as close as only in my head and yet as spatial as in a forest of beech and oak trees.

[raffitorossian]

it was an excellent performance of Beethoven's piano concerto played with excellent technic and nuance. Thanks for uploading.

[tbarrelier]

If I've heard this concerto once, I've heard it 100 times. Helene Grimaud has given me new ears for this incredible concerto. Sometimes you get used to how extraordinary Beethoven's works are. Thank you, Ms. Grimaud, for making it new again!

[ahmadgolkar]

Helene Grimaud, Thank you for this beautiful and outstanding performance.

[marcjames]

My favourite piano piece and my favourite rendition. Hèlène pours her soul into this and there's a lovely connection between her and Paavo. I've listened many times and it always moves my heart.

[allisonfourie]

How we are blessed with such gifted people. Apart from the wonderful portrayal of this great concerto she does so without a piece music in front of her and knows exactly when she must play.

[eddygodoyquiroz]

Cuando escucho tu quinto consierto.todas las pasiones en mi se desbordan .termino llorando.merci beaucoup.