Passionate Play

If you want to hear romantic piano at its most brilliantly intense, then Hélène Grimaud is your ticket. The French-born artist stunned the world some 20 years ago when, at the age of 16, she won a Grand Prix du Disque for her recording of Rachmaninoff's Piano Sonata No. 2. Grimaud performs the Rachmaninoff this week, along with those two Chopin gems, the Berceuse and the Barcarolle, and two Rhapsodies, Op. 79, by Brahms — a fiery, sensuous program guaranteed to show off playing that has been described as "stormy, passionate and intuitive." Grimaud is particularly known for her "unheard-of sensitivity to emotional shades," which might be attributed to the fact that she's one of those rare individuals who experiences synesthesia, the overlapping of two senses — in this case the ability to actually see music as color. Prepare for a human laser show. Walt Disney Concert Hall; Sun., June 17, 7:30 p.m.; $33-$86. (213) 850-2000 or www.laphil.com.