Pianist Hélène Grimaud Cancels Concerts due to Ill Health

Grimaud was set to perform in Switzerland, France, and Poland, before she contracted COVID-19

The French pianist Hélène Grimaud has canceled the remainder of her European tour, after she tested positive for COVID-19. 

Grimaud was scheduled to perform with the Basel Chamber Orchestra at France’s Festival Berlioz and Poland’s Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall on August 26 and 28, 2024, respectively. 

She also withdrew from performances earlier this week on August 20 and 22 at the Edinburgh International Festival and the Tannay Festival in Switzerland, and was replaced by pianists Seong-Jin Cho and Nikolay Khozyainov.

Grimaud began her piano studies at the local conservatory with Jacqueline Courtin before working with Pierre Barbizet. She attended the Paris Conservatoire at age 13 and was mentored by György Sándor and Leon Fleisher. 

Following her Tokyo debut in 1987, she was invited by Daniel Barenboim to perform with the Orchestre de Paris — a performance that launched Grimaud’s international career. 

An exclusive Deutsche Grammophon artist since 2002, her critically acclaimed recordings have won accolades including the Cannes Classical Recording of the Year, Choc du Monde de la musique, Diapason d’or, Grand Prix du disque, Record Academy Prize (Tokyo), Midem Classic Award, and the Echo Klassik Award.

Grimaud’s upcoming performances from September 2024 include appearances in Japan, Singapore, and several cities across the U.S.

We wish Ms. Grimaud a speedy recovery!