Wild Harmonies: A Life of Music and Wolves [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Helene Grimaud (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2006

Success as a classically trained pianist came early for HŽl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.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A renowned classical pianist, Helene Grimaud explores life with passion, stating, "I have never had the feeling of a paradise lost, but of a paradise to be found." Her islands of bliss are classical music and the sanctuary she created for wolves. Growing up in France, her talent for the piano was evident early on, and at 13 she became the youngest student at the National Conservatory of Music. A determined prodigy who shouldered responsibility for her path even when she stumbled, she shaped her musical gift in her own way. She met her first wolf in Florida, and the intense recognition seemed to be mutual. Grimaud's deep friendship with the wolf and her owner, Dennis, inspired her to establish a wolf sanctuary in upstate New York and to become a wolf advocate. As Grimaud celebrates both the transcendental power of music and the beauty, spirit, and significance of wolves, her eloquent and inspiring reflections embody her love for and total involvement in her work and nature. Pamela Crossland
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

HŽl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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover (September 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594489270
• ASIN: B000S9D5N2
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,327,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pianiste Sauvage / Untamed Pianist, November 24, 2006

By 

Thomas G. Steffens (NYC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wild Harmonies: A Life of Music and Wolves (Hardcover)

Horowitz once said that a great musician must first of all be well read and liberally educated. Hélène Grimaud not only satisfies those requirements but even writes her own books! Although she was a prodigy she is not of the machine-like version. Her aesthetic philosophy springs from personal experience and development which informs and enriches her music immeasurably!
She weaves her interest in animals (she has a wolf preserve in upstate NY), culture and music into a single fabric. She could be a beauty who loves wolves and plays well but she is not a packaged gimmick. Her words take us from the nature of animals to the nature of man and how these are all relate to music as a cultural expression. Her music takes us on mythical forays in search of the mystery of what music is and what it does to us. (Elle "nous laisse devant l'absolu.")
Do yourself a favor, get her book and spend the entire night reading her and then have a long breakfast sipping on tea and listening to her.

21 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars emotion is everything, September 30, 2006

By 

Bernd Kotz (Essen, Germany) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wild Harmonies: A Life of Music and Wolves (Hardcover)

She is looking for the right place in her life. Most of the people are looking for a meaning to live for.
Helene Grimaud wants to capture this feeling with her book. She decided to be in the music. It is her religion to keep on going. The balance lies in the symmetry of life, music and nature. It is her way to cope with her life. In this harmony she finds her relief and strength. She explains her love for the music, witch touches her soul, her love for the animals and her free dealing with nature. These are the real balances in her life.
The book describes her childhood in Aix, her studies at the conservatory in Aix and Paris. In her early years she showed her rebellion behaviour against her parents and her classmates. These examples show her unrestrained nature, her passion for the music and the strength to carry on in her life. For the most people who work with her, this attitude makes her moody and unpredictable. In the last chapter she explains her love for wolfs, her first meeting with Alawas. The early years in America were very difficult. She describes the foundation of the Wolf Conservation Centre.
I read the book with pleasure because the connection between the stories and her musical career is very powerful. This book shares a common feeling. It is to be positive in the things to come and to accomplish your goals what ever it takes.

25 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars insightful delightful, but not easy to read "Un" autobiography, September 10, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wild Harmonies: A Life of Music and Wolves (Hardcover)

WILD HARMONIES is an insightful delightful "Un" autobiography that breaks the rules of chronological order most books in that genre follow. Instead, the renowned French pianist is all over the place yet contains enough discipline so that the reader can follow her story. Most interesting is the combining of a love for music with a love for wolves. The music started as an unmanageable and unpredictable child in France while the love of wolves began as an adult in Florida when she met her neighbor's she-wolf. As she did with the piano Helene Grimaud became an obsessed fanatic who has opened up a wolverine conservatory in Upstate New York.

Readers will appreciate the sidebar reflections as Ms. Grimaud relates her life with music freeing her from a dull un-life though she has always refused to perform anyway but her style. The isobar lateral entries on the history of wolves in Europe and America add to the feel of a deep zealous uncompromising autobiography that is not for everyone from an author who would say so what as long as Ms. Grimaud believes she has remained true to her essence. Not an easy memoir to read, but well written and worth the time to comprehend the odd passionate combination of a "Life of Music and Wolves".

Harriet Klausner