New Perfume Review: A Beautiful Mind Volume 2 Precision & Grace by Geza Schoen + Pas de Deux Draw

geza schoen  a beautiful mind 2010

Geza Schoen Volume 1: A Beautiful Mind Volume Intelligence and Beauty

Rewind the clock five years and you may remember a perfume with an IQ.  Entitled Intelligence and Beauty it announced the arrival of The Beautiful Mind Series Volume 1. The perfumer behind this fragrance was German independent perfumer Geza Schoen (you can read Michelyn’s November 2010 interview with Geza here) , with help from his muse, Christiane Stenger, a grandmaster of memory. Herr Schoen is known for challenging the status quo. He creates unforgettable statements- with the modern masterpiece Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 in 2006, Kinski in 2011 Steidl Paper Passion 2012 and recently Ephemera Unsound 2015. (Herr Schoen is also the perfumer who works in collaboration with Creative Director Linda Pilkington on all the Ormonde Jayne fragrances).

Polina Semionova  black swan -swan lake

Polina Semionova Swan Lake -Black Swan

For Volume 2: Precision and Grace,  the classical ballet dancer Polina Semionova (principal dancer at The American Ballet Theatre as of 2012; she was also the youngest principal to join the Staatsballet Berlin in 2002 at the age of 17 ) has served as Schoen’s inspiration and collaborative partner. Precision & Grace evokes the dancer’s creative oeuvre. Ballet is renowned for grueling training regimes of Black Swan intensity, before the reveal of technical perfection and hard-earned moments of alluring perfection. There are many clips on YouTube that showcase her talents and I am guilty of getting side tracked. Her performances are mesmerising.  Semionova dances with a fierce combination of strength, yes, grace and precision.

Dancing in the Rain - Polina Semionova and Roberto Bolle

Here is the youtube video clip that I love called Dancing In The Rain that is amazingly fluid and sensual and helps to bring the perfume to life for me.

Polina Semionova in La Bayadere. Photo by Jack Devant

Polina Semionova in La Bayadere. Photo by Jack Devant

A Williams pear note dominates in the opening stages of Precision & Grace bringing to life Polina Semionova’s childhood in Russia.  It’s sweet and tinged with green. As a general rule I haven’t had much luck with pear as a note in fragrances. That said, I love the sensation of eating a juicy pear that oozes ripeness.  It takes tremendous skill to reproduce the crispness or juiciness of the pear in a perfume without having it smell like a Glade air freshener. With the addition of a squeeze of citrus notes, Precision & Grace achieves this feat with the pear tending crisp as opposed to ripe.

polina semionova sleeping beauty tulle

Polina Semionova Sleeping Beauty

At first the perfume seems to have a shy innocence, but slowly stirs to shed the remnants of tulle as it’s swept aside to reveal an Egyptian jasmine.  It's a fresh, bright jasmine with a fruity aspect rather than the indolic heady bloom. Precision and Grace glides on the skin and is reminiscent of a dancer at the barre, warming up. Then moving unconsciously, unhindered by the mind, the body takes over. There’s a smidgen of Schoen’s beloved pink pepper and the fruity jasmine is amplified by supporting flowers that provide volume. These include mimosa, osmanthus and freesia. The perfume really takes flight now with swirls and pirouettes. The addition of plum blends with the flowers to create skilled smooth lines.

 

Polina Semionova and Ibrahim Önal in Roland Petit’s Carmen during the Staatsballet Berlin Ballet gala 2011. Photo by Bettina Stöß

Polina Semionova and Ibrahim Önal in Roland Petit’s Carmen during the Staatsballet Berlin Ballet gala 2011. Photo by Bettina Stöß

The fragrance reaches its zenith with the introduction of the sandalwood and musky base that plumps Precision & Grace with a velvet like texture. This comes as a surprise and is skillfully blended so one doesn’t notice the transformation as it occurs. It’s a welcome change and lends some extra flight and frisson. It has an element of warmth and Schoen intimates that he wanted to give the impression of the dancer’s body becoming heated as the dance wears on.

Polina Semionova in Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude

Polina Semionova in Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude

It has a contemporary feel, with buoyancy that would wear well in the heated months to come. There’s a freshness here that offers those moments of excitement, when you’re at the theatre transfixed by the intricacies and exhilarating moments of a performance.   It is the ultimate expression of femininity;  tender but strength and determination in its posture. It may have been five years but Precision and Grace was worth the wait.

 Megan Paki, Senior Contributor and Author of Megan In Sainte Maxime

Disclosure : Sample received from The Beautiful Mind Series

geza schoen in his lab

Geza Schoen in his lab

Editor’s Note: I often refer to Geza as the great collaborator. It is important to note that both Volume 1 and Volume 2 were co-creations and partnerships.  Christiane Stenger and Polina Semionova worked closely with Geza in his lab. Art director here as well- Michelyn

volume 2 precision and grace a beautiful mind

Thanks to Geza Schoen we have a 100 ml bottle of Precision and Grace for a registered ÇaFleureBon reader anywhere in the world. To be eligible please leave a comment with what appeals to you about Precision & Grace and for extra credit a woman with a beautiful mind that would suit a Volume 3 Draw closes 5/9/2015

We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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34 comments

  • I’m intrigued by the mention of pear. Still, I think the comments about the depth of the fragrance, the addition of pepper, sandalwood and a musky base is even more intriguing.

    I admit I’m a bit stumped by who to suggest… Katherine Hepburn comes to mind, as does Naomi Wolfe.

  • Donna Spiegel says:

    I’m a big fan of Geza’s creations and a really big fan of ballet. Love to experience his interpretation of Precision and Grace in a fragrance and with Polina’s collaboration to boot! I can watch ballet endlessly so I understand getting lost in a piece. Favorite pastime. My daughter danced for years. Love love love. For a volume 3 extra credit my choice for a woman with a beautiful mind is Audrey Hepburn. Not only was she a real star she also devoted her time to charity after her movie career. I love the old Hollywood glamour.

  • Schoen’s selection of muses for this series is very interesting. I’m intrigued that the two women are incredible, but not necessarily an obvious choice for perfume inspiration. I’m very excited to experience Schoen’s inspirations.

    I recently heard a radio news story regarding Diana Nyad. She is the first person to swim from Cuba to America without the aid of a shark cage. She’s accomplished other swimming feats. She also mentioned that her last name means “water nymph” and that she was literally born to swim. I think she would make a fascinating muse for Mr. Schoen.

  • Elizabeth T says:

    I’m intrigued by a fruity floral that turns animalic, and especially one with plum and jasmine in it! Thank you so much for the lovely write-up and the generous draw.

  • fazalcheema says:

    As i watched that video, I could not help but notice dancers often have such beautiful bodies, just perfect!! Geza is really brilliant and so avant garde..i do have his kinsky and not surprisingly it is the closest to hashish of any perfume i have ever smelled…I am indeed interested in Precision & Grace so that I can see how Geza has captured Polina in the bottle..One woman with a beautiful mind that Geza should capture in a perfume bottle may be Margaret Keane. I am in the US

  • Systeme D says:

    Marvelous review, and gorgeous illustrations, as always.

    I am a longtime Geza Schoen fan, so I am always interested in what he is up to next. I’d love to get my nose on that opening pear note, and I am excited to see what he does with jasmine. He’s so inventive!

    My recommendation for an inspirational woman with a beautiful mind is Zitkala-Ša (Yankton Dakota), also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin. Her musical and literary talents, her political activism, and her grace under fire have made her an inspiration to so many — including me.

    I am in the US.

  • My beautiful mind vote goes to my yoga teacher Talya Ring. She is intuitive and intelligent and brave. She loves and cares for all of her students, and brings beauty to the world through her honesty. I also nod to my other yoga teacher Shiva Rea. An inspiration to many. Well, them and my mom. Thanks for the draw. I am in the US.

  • Fruity jasmine? True pear, osmanthus and freesia? Pink pepper? This all sounds incredible, and knowing Schoen’s ability to hyper focus notes, I can’t wait to sample this.
    My first thought for a beautiful mind would be Georgia O’Keefe, but since she no longer walks this earth, I’d pick Meryl Streep. She’s amazing!

  • Laurentiu says:

    I am curious about the pear note. I have not tested many fragrances that have pear and I think that is very hard to “play” with it, but Geza Schoen has the right skills to do so and I am sure that something extraordinary came out.
    How about Catherine Deneuve being the next muse?

  • I too am curious about the fruitiness of pear, but beyond that I have a great love and fascination with dance- especially ballet (ballroom being the only form of dance I prefer, as I dance it myself). Love the visuals and video.
    A woman with a beautiful mind… Agnes Obel, one of my favorite singers. Just listen to Fuel to Fire. I’m in the US.

  • Thank you for this lovely draw! The review is fantastic. Appeals to me these amazing ingredients, these together makes a wonderful scent I think. A woman with a beautiful mind that would suit a Volume 3, I think could be Sharon Stone, because She is so smart, and talented.
    I live in Europe.

  • Iphigenia says:

    I loved Precision & Grace for its notes and for the fact that I read in this review that “It has a contemporary feel, with buoyancy that would wear well in the heated months to come. There’s a freshness here that offers those moments of excitement, when you’re at the theatre transfixed by the intricacies and exhilarating moments of a performance. ….. It is the ultimate expression of femininity; tender but strength and determination in its posture….” and the woman with the beautiful mind for me is Meryl Streep so talented so witty and smart, unique personality.
    I live in EU and I thank for this lovely draw and review.

  • Patty P. says:

    I am drawn to the description of the sandalwood and musky base as well as the promise this fragrance has the buoyancy to wear well in the heated months to come. 🙂 Volume 3 muse – Hedy Lamarr.
    USA

  • How wonderful to celebrate a woman for her talent and beauty. I am a fan of Escentric Molecules 1 and have been wearing it for years as well as Champaca for Ormonde Jayne
    I really don’t like most fruity florals and pear is as Megan noted a weirdly plastic note if not handled correctly.
    I am intrigued Precision and Grace because it is a Geza Schoen perfume
    I think that Irina Krush the young chess master would be a great muse.
    In the U.S.

  • luvmarley says:

    Amazing review. I live in an area that gets quite warm so I love when perfume is described to be able to wear well with heat. Add jasmine, velvety, musky base…sounds lovely. Woman with a beautiful mind – Maya Angelou.

  • Sandalwood and velvet like texture sounds very interesting. I would love to try this perfume.
    I believe Francoise Sagan would suit for the Vol. 3
    Thanks for the opportunity!

  • rodelinda says:

    I’m excited to try a crisp pear note alongside jasmine. My choice for Volume 3 would be the author Susan Cooper. I’m in the US. Thanks!

  • BlessedTA says:

    The description “Precision and Grace glides on the skin and is reminiscent of a dancer at the barre, warming up” makes it sounds heavenly.

    My choice for Volume 3 would be the late Maya Angelou – what a woman!

    Thanks for the chance, I’m in Canada.

  • I like anything dance-related, so this has piqued my curiosity – the notes mentioned aren’t deterring, either!

    I was just thinking earlier of a lecture by Laurie Anderson that I attended about a year ago – so that would be my suggestion.

    I am in the US. Thanks for the draw.

  • I,m a fan of ballet and I’ve found really wonderful the pictures of Semionova in this review. I think I’m going to browae the web now looking for some videos to see her in action! The notes in this perfume also appeal to me and it seems to be perfect for the summer, tender and strength….
    My choice for Volume 3 would be for Marlene Dietrich….. I dn’t know if it is a beautiful mind but it was a strong and delicate woman ..
    I,m in EU (Spain).

  • The pear note piqued my interest for sure, I have yet to try any from this series. Ballerinas are so graceful and light on their feet. I love watching ballet and the emotions expressed through dance. I would assume this fragrance is light and graceful on the skin. Volume 3 should be dedicated to Angelina Jolie whom in my eyes is beautiful inside and out. I am in the US

  • What a lovely review. I love pear, especially in perfumes!
    My choice for volume 3 would be Meryl Streep. She is a fantastic actress, very versatile.
    I’m in the US; thank you for the draw.

  • Ormonde Jayne Woman is so amazing, ever since I found out Geza Schoen worked on it he has been a must-try perfumer, even when the notes don’t look like ‘me’ somehow the whole scent often works for me anyways. Pear is similar for me as for you–but this pear sounds wonderful! But really the base sounds spot-on my cuppa.

    Ballet is such a rich vein of inspiration. I saw Swan Lake this year and it was amazing! That video is amazing too. I am running out of adjectives so let me close by saying a tremendous thank you! for the draw and I’m in the USA and Hedy LaMarr was the first woman who came to mind.

  • I like pear in perfumes once in a while. If it smells like shampoo that’s a problem but if it’s done right it’s wonderful.
    I am so not graceful so ballet is always fascinating to watch for me. I love the look of the dancers bodies, long and lean and strong.

  • Beautiful review, amazing video. Crisp pear, white flowers, plum, sounds wonderful.
    I would choose Angelina Jolie. She has given so much back to the world in her work and has from the looks of it turned into a wonderful hands-on mom to her large family.
    I’m in the US, thanks for the draw.

  • I found it appealing that not only did Polina Semionova serve as Schoen’s inspiration, but also his collaborative partner. Precision & Grace must then truly evoke the dancer’s many facets. I agree that Angelina Jolie is a woman with a beautiful mind that would suit a Volume 3.

  • I love the bright pink pepper notes in several of Geza Schoen’s creations. I’m sure I would love it in Precision and Grace as well. When I think of a woman with a beautiful mind I think of Lakshmi Pratury , one of the founders of INK talks. She has brought together so many challenging speakers and ideas from all over the world. I am in the US. Thank you for this draw.

  • Ballet plus non-heady fruit-layered fresh jasmine – what’s not to love about Precision and Grace! I am totally in when something is signed by Herr Schoen! My choice for a woman with a beautiful mind is Isabel Allende. I can tell she is a love-infused personality.
    Thank you for the draw!
    I am in Bulgaria (EU).

  • I’m interested in how the pear note balances with the other notes. Overall, I like the sound of it. The bottle is very classy as well.

    My choice would be the beautiful Kate Middleton. She’s just so classy and elegant and I think would make for a gorgeous fragrance.

    Canada

  • After reading this, my mom would absolutely LOVE this one! She really enjoys pear and this would make for a great gift!

    I would have to pick Meryl Streep. I think she’d be the perfect choice

    I’m a Canadian reader

  • greennote says:

    The perfume sounds amazing, love jasmine and things that are a little different. Fabulous mind. I’ll go completely left field and go with JK Rowling. How many thousands (millions?) of children has she influenced to read?
    I’m in Australia.

  • How amazing that Precision & Grace captures the pear note so perfectly! I love a juicy pear note, but it’s so difficult to find one that is well done. I’m very interested in trying this for that reason. The woman I would choose for volume 3 is Susan Sarandon. I’m in the US, thanks.

  • Greg Mayne says:

    Wow pear and jasmine sound like a gorgeous combination. This is interesting because pear sometimes smells like shampoo! But this fragrance seems very unique and fun.
    I think Angelina Jolie would be a great choice!

    Canada

  • I just want the volume 2!!! Gesa Shoen is the most inspiring perfumer. His creations are divine. Polina Semyonova is an amazing prima. Just looking for the Volume 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!