Hélène Grimaud
Here's
a letter from Hélène:
Music changed my life. I was quite an agitated and agitating
child before I had music training. As a matter of fact, a psychologist
told my parents later on that without music I could have easily become
a delinquent of the worst sort!
Of all art forms, only music transcends words. It is hard to talk about music when music talks to us better than any other language. But I can tell you that music gave my life a sense of purpose and direction.
Music taught me that you should never let anyone convince you that your dreams are outlandish. Few things are more condescending, and what a tragedy it would be if you believed it. Our backgrounds and circumstances may have influenced who we are but, ultimately, we are responsible for who we choose to become, and it takes a long time to become the person you want to be. I have learned that it is not what happens to us that is important-it is what we do about it.
Studying music also taught me that you should not compare yourself to others but only to your last best effort, that you cannot get by on charm for very long, that music sharpens your senses, imagination, creativity and intuition, and that you actually have the ability and strength to keep going long after you think you can't. I have learned that difficulties and failures along the way make you stronger and that maturity does not come with how many birthdays you have celebrated but more with the experiences you have had and what you have learned from them.
Making music with others showed me that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. Music will develop your social, personal, physical and intellectual skills better than any other activities combined.
Photo credits: J Henry Fair
Music is about emotional communication. Give it a try and don't think you have taken the wrong road when perhaps you just have not gone far enough. After all, what is to come does not need to be discovered so much as invented.
Pianist
Piece: Allegro agitato, Piano Concerto in F Major
Orchestra: Baltimore Orchestra
Conductor: David Zinman
Hear Hélène perform in person! Here's where you can find her this year:
April 22, 23
May 8, 10
July 8, 10
July 24
July 29, 30
August 13
August 26
September 10, 11
September 30,
October 1, 2
December 5
Greensboro Symphony (North Carolina)
Aspen Chamber Orchestra
