Hélène Grimaud

Hélène Grimaud (born November 7, 1969) is a French pianist. She was born in Aix-en-Provence, France. She is descended from Sephardi Jews from Corsica on her mother's side and from Berber Jews on her father's side. She has stated that as a child she was often "agitated". She discovered the piano at seven. She entered the Conservatoire de Paris in 1982 where she studied with Jacques Rouvier. In 1985 she won first prize at the Conservatory and the G... more

Hélène Grimaud (born November 7, 1969) is a French pianist. She was born in Aix-en-Provence, France. She is descended from Sephardi Jews from Corsica on her mother's side and from Berber Jews on her father's side. She has stated that as a child she was often "agitated". She discovered the piano at seven. She entered the Conservatoire de Paris in 1982 where she studied with Jacques Rouvier. In 1985 she won first prize at the Conservatory and the Grand Prix du Disque of the Charles Cros Academy for her recording of the Rachmaninov Piano Sonata No. 2. In 1987, she launched her professional career with a solo recital in Paris and a performance with the Orchestre de Paris under Daniel Barenboim. At 21, Ms. Grimaud moved to Florida, United States and later lived outside New York City. After some time spent in Berlin, she currently resides in Switzerland. She is known for her passion for wolves, which she studies and raises. She now divides her time between her musical career and the Wolf... less