Hélène Grimaud

Hélène Grimaud discovered the piano at the age of seven. It was a liberation: at last, she knew what to do with all her excess energy! She was accepted to study at the Paris Conservatoire at the young age of 13. Her career really gained momentum following concerts with the Orchestre de Paris at the invitation of Daniel Barenboim. These were followed by performances all over the world – not only as a soloist with great conductors and orchestras, but also as a chamber musician. Wherever she goes, she touches her audience with her expressive and sensitive playing.

However, the piano is not the only thing in Hélène Grimaud’s life. There is also her passion for wolves. Near New York, where she lives today, she founded the Wolf Conservation Centre, where she is committed to environmental education and promoting a responsible approach to nature. How she still finds the time to write remains her secret; she has published three autobiographically inspired books to date.

She shares her passion for writing with Robert Schumann, whose Piano Concerto in A minor she will perform this season with the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich.