Pianist Hélène Grimaudhas created a "dialogue" of sorts between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the Ukrainian-born contemporary composer Valentin Silvestrov in her latest album "The Messenger."
The recording presents three works by Mozart, all in chronological order and in minor keys. Grimaud sees his use of the minor as suggestive of “confrontations with fate or destiny”. Written in memory of his late wife, Larissa Bondarenko, Silvestrov’s The Messenger – 1996 "establishes a connection between the world that once existed and the present day." It offers "both a response to and an echo of Mozart’s music – this idea of acknowledging and paying tribute to what has gone before is central to his art as a composer."
I hope you enjoy my discussion with Hélène about this project and her approach to the works that are included.
Yours in good music,
Mike Goldberg Classical Music Host, VPM Music
