Internationally acclaimed pianist Hélène Grimaud will perform two monumental final piano sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert in a UGA Presents recital at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, in Hodgson Concert Hall.
Titled “The Last Testament,” the program pairs Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111, with Schubert’s Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat Major, D. 960. Written near the ends of their composers’ lives, the works offer contrasting visions of musical expression, from Beethoven’s concentrated intensity and transcendent variations to Schubert’s expansive melodies and deeply introspective lyricism.
Grimaud, known for her poetic interpretations and formidable technical command, has built an international career performing with leading orchestras and conductors. Born in Aix-en-Provence, France, she entered the Paris Conservatoire at 13 and made her recital debut in Tokyo in 1987. That same year, conductor Daniel Barenboim invited her to perform with the Orchestre de Paris, helping launch a career that would take her to major concert halls around the world.
She made her debut with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1995 under Claudio Abbado and appeared with the New York Philharmonic in 1999 under Kurt Masur. Her recordings have earned numerous honors, including the Cannes Classical Recording of the Year, Diapason d’or and ECHO Klassik.
Beyond the concert stage, Grimaud is an environmental advocate, human rights supporter and author. She founded the Wolf Conservation Center in New York state and is a member of Musicians for Human Rights. She has also written four books published in several languages, reflecting interests that extend well beyond music.
The Nov. 16 program centers on two works that stand among the final statements of their composers. Beethoven completed his Op. 111 sonata in 1822, distilling the traditional four-movement sonata into two. Its turbulent opening movement gives way to an arietta and a series of variations that move from quiet simplicity toward increasingly intricate rhythms and an extraordinary sense of suspension. The work’s journey from conflict to serenity has made it one of the most discussed and admired compositions in the piano repertoire.
Schubert completed his B-flat Major Sonata in September 1828, just weeks before his death at age 31. The expansive four-movement work reflects his gift for melody and harmonic exploration. Its spacious opening, haunting slow movement, buoyant scherzo and affirmative finale create a musical arc that balances intimacy with symphonic breadth.
Although Beethoven and Schubert were key figures in the transition from the Classical era to Romanticism, their musical approaches differ. Beethoven built dramatic structures through concentrated motives and variations, while Schubert’s music often unfolds through songlike themes and unexpected harmonic shifts. Heard together, the sonatas reveal two distinct approaches to the expressive possibilities of the piano.
SUPPORTERS
Marty Farnsworth
Scott and Roxanne Dobson
Additional support by the Richard C. Owens Music Endowment
TICKETS
Securing tickets for UGA Presents performances couldn’t be easier. There are three ways to choose from:
- Purchase tickets online 24/7 here.
- Call the Knapp Performing Arts Center Box Office at (706) 542-4400, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Visit the Knapp Performing Arts Center Box Office, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
You may also create your own series of three or more performances (10% off). UGA Presents single tickets start at just $30 with promo code PAC30, and UGA student tickets are $15. Information about accessibility and venue amenities is available on the PAC website. Parking is free.
