Just as we were polishing up a profile of world-renowned wolf-loving pianist Hélène Grimaud (which you can read online now, or in print next week), the CSO shot out a press release: Hélène Grimaud is canceling her scheduled performance.
Frankly, we were not surprised, and might be a little guilty.
Last week, when our Bryant Manning phoned up the now Switzerland–based Grimaud, she was shocked to learn her reason for coming to Chicago. “I’m playing [Beethoven's] Fourth [Concerto], aren’t I? Am I not playing the Fourth?!?” she asked. As he double-checked the CSO website, Manning assured her she was to play “Emperor,” Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto. To be safe, we reached out to the CSO to ensure the program listed on the website was correct. Hours later, Ukranian pianist Valentina Lisitsa was subbed in for Grimaud.
In the press release, Grimaud’s management made this statement:
“An unfortunate miscommunication has occurred between Hélène Grimaud and her artist management company regarding the repertoire for her concerts with the CSO on March 13, 14 and 15. This discrepancy has been discovered too late for Ms. Grimaud to have time to prepare Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 to her satisfaction. Sadly, the repertoire which she can offer on this occasion duplicates works already in the CSO’s recent programming. Therefore, she has by mutual agreement withdrawn from these concerts and will be replaced by Valentina Lisitsa.”
Oops. Careful, management, you wouldn’t like it when the wolves are angry.
Though Beethoven was Grimaud’s first love, she’s lately been utterly smitten with Bach. Ah, pity the scorned ex. Read the complete story in “Bach itch.”
Complete updated program information follows:
Friday, March 13, 2009, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 14, 2009, 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 15, 2009, 3 p.m.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
James Gaffigan, Conductor
Valentina Lisitsa, Piano
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 (“Emperor”)
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
Tickets: $27-$152
For more on the CSO, read this week’s Q&A with conductor emeritus Pierre Boulez.
Wow, good thing you reached out to interview her about her performance with the CSO. I must admit I would have loved to been a fly on the wall as they gathered for the first rehearsal here.
Wow. I have plans to see this on Friday. Don’t know why the CSO couldn’t compromise and let her play the 4th, which I would have rather seen than a local last minute replacement. While ultimately the fault lies with Grimaud and her management, CSO could have come up with a better compromise.
This is unfortunate, however, does Helene have copies of the contracts with the repertoire listed?
Valentina Lisitsa is no “local last minute replacement.” She’s a brilliant pianist with an international career. I heard her with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra in Madison a couple of years ago, and was blown away. Don’t worry, Chicago; you’re in for a treat!
Chekhov–thanks for setting DDubs and the rest of the readers straight…I suppose that “local” means because she is a regular with the GPMF…which undoubtedly (to those uneducated ears) means “lesser”, there will be a sacrifice in quality. This could hardly be the case, as anyone who has regularly attended the Grant Park Orchestra’s concerts knows. Valentina is a wonderful artist, and no one will suffer by her substitution.
I agree with Chekhov and Linda. Lisitsa played the Shostakovich 1 here 10 years ago with the dynamite trumpeter Sergei Nakariakov and a touring Russian orchestra, and she was brilliant. A wonderful interviewee, too, which was another plus. As music critic of the Santa Fe New Mexican, I’ve talked to both Grimaud and Lisitsa, and both are exceptionally articulate - viva voce and at the keyboard.
Grimaud is an amateur - surprising is the the CSO didn’t change the concerto, but rather released her from a contract and replaced her with a pianist willing to play the Emperor on short notice. It says something about Grimaud’s limited abilities that, despite her recent recording of it, she can’t play the piece on short notice, as would most other professionals. Her career is partially based on an ability to look exquisite on cd covers, not an overwhelming pianistic talent. This article is based on a “isn’t it cute” story, but it would be interesting to know why Grimaud was let out of her contract, which could really damage her career.
No wonder there are fewer and fewer great music personalities when we have classical musicians who can play about 10 composition during the whole life and need to practice 18 hours per day. Someone of Grimaud’s “greatness” should be able to prepare anything from the standard repertoire within couple of hours.
I attended the Saturday night performance at the CSO and Ms. Lisitsa was fantastic. I specifically bought the tickets to see Ms. Grimaud, and was rather disappointed when I heard news of her cancellation. Shortly into the first movement, I realized that maybe everything turned out for the best.
I’m a new Lisitsa fan.
I just returned home from the performance today of Valentina Lisitsa at Chicago Symphony Center. What an incredible experience. Ms. Lisitsa playing gave me goose bumps, and I could hardly stay relaxed as she invoked the drama and sweetness of Ludwig van Beethoven Piano concerto #5. She was soaring like an eagle, and captured all of Chicago’s hearts and souls. I will never forget her angelic presence and warm personality! I only wish I could have bought more of her music in the gift shop. I am a life long fan. Thank you to Ms. Lisitsa for displaying her rare talent with such celebration. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra framed her talent with bravado, and James Gaffigan is still the most seductive conductor on this planet!
Yes……Wooooooow…. Valentina is incredible. She always leaves me in utter amazement. I love h the way she just lays bare the emotion of the music, not JUST in her playing, but also in her facial expressions. They’re SO real!!!! And I LOVE her humility…. And she’s the sweetest woman, too. I wonder how much she practices every day? May the Lord bless her.
I’ve just read the comments about the
replacement of Mrs. Grimaud by Mrs.
Valentina Lisitsa, and I agree to every
one. Still, I invite all of them to compare
the performance of Mrs. Grimaud to
that of Mr. Volodos, both playing
Rachmaninof Concerto # 2. The Russian
has no rival ever !
Mauricio Ferraz - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil