Wild Harmonies: A Life of Music and Wolves by Helene Grimaud, Ellen Hinsey (Translator)

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Synopsis

Success as a classically trained pianist came early for Hél�ne Grimaud, who made her first recording at age fifteen. But in the following years, despite sellout concerts around the world, she still felt as if something was missing-until an extraordinary meeting with a she-wolf changed her perspective and her world.

Library Journal

The instant her Florida neighbor's she-wolf slid its magnificent head under her hand, celebrated French pianist Grimaud experienced a vibrant connection that lent a remarkable new direction to a life already lived remarkably. As she recounts in this lyric and original new work, the Provence-born Grimaud grew up an "Un" child-unmanageable, unsatisfied, unpredictable-who discovered early a passion for playing the piano. It will surprise no one familiar with her urgent and uncompromising performances that Grimaud has not written a straightforward account of her life. Instead, she blends deeply felt snatches of memory-relating not just the course of her training but how music has "structured" and freed her-with commentary on animals and particularly the wolf throughout history. (In northern Germany, for instance, one could not even utter the animal's name during the 12 darkest days of winter.) After her startling encounter with the she-wolf, Grimaud threw herself into a new endeavor, becoming certified to manage her own wolf conservatory in upstate New York. There, her four "ambassador" wolves serve to instruct visitors in the nature of this beautiful beast. Likewise, Grimaud's narrative deftly captures the temperament of a distinctive individual and will appeal not just to music and nature lovers but to anyone interested in intriguing memoir. Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/06.]-Barbara Hoffert, Library Journal Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Biography

Hél�ne Grimaud is an award-winning concert pianist who performs regularly worldwide. She founded a wolf preserve in upstate New York, and lives in South Salem, New York, with her husband and four wolves. Author website: helenegrimaud.com