With her latest studio album, Hélène takes us to Salzburg where she creates a fascinating juxtaposition between the eternal W.A. Mozart and the Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov (b. 1937). Echoing her successful DG debut album "Credo", this innovative combination is typical of her approach to programming and signals yet another new beginning. 

In selecting the music for this album, Hélène has carefully chosen music by Mozart (in either c or d minor) that fits into an overall dramaturgy: from Mozart's famous unfinished D minor Fantasy, Hélène transitions seamlessly into the great D minor concerto K. 466 - one of the most popular amongst Mozart's 27 concertos (and one of only two in a minor key). The C minor Fantasy here signals "the end of Mozart" and a new beginning: The Messenger starts with a theme reminiscent of Mozart, and like a messenger, creates a connection between the present and the world that existed before. Melancholy and hope, sadness and exuberance can be felt emanating from both Mozart's and Silvestrov's works.

Hélène has long had a passion for Silvestrov’s music, which some call post-modernist or even neoclassical. "Like Arvo Pärt, Silvestrov’s music is harmonic, which far from being a weakness, is an enlightenment in its own right and very powerful in its simplicity", says Hélène.

Tracklisting:

1 Mozart: Fantasia in d-Moll, KV 397

2 Mozart: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra Nr. 20 in d-Moll, KV 466 – 1. Allegro

3 Mozart: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra Nr. 20 in d-Moll, KV 466 – 2. Romance

4 Mozart: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra Nr. 20 in d-Moll, KV 466 – 3. Rondo. Allegro assai

5 Mozart: Fantasia in c-Moll, KV 475

6 Silvestrov: The Messenger für Klavier, Streichorchester und Synthesizer

7 Silvestrov: Two Dialogues with Postscript – 1. Wedding Waltz

8 Silvestrov: Two Dialogues with Postscript – 2. Postludium

9 Silvestrov: Two Dialogues with Postscript – 3. Morning Serenade

10 Silvestrov: The Messenger for Piano Solo