Alfred Brendel

The largely self-taught Austrian pianist, poet and painter Alfred Brendel was born in Czechoslovakia on 5 January 1931 and lives in London. He has concentrated mainly on classical Austrian and German repertoire, and was the first artist to record Beethoven's complete solo piano repertoire.

He officially retired from performing in 2008 but remained active as a lecturer and teacher.

 

A selection of articles about Alfred Brendel

A Quiet Logic - Chang Sun writes about the American pianist Kit Armstrong

Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - The Anatomy of Music. Part II: The Period

Andrew Schartmann's Musical Tidbits - The Anatomy of Music. Part I: The Sentence

CD Spotlight. Thoroughly Playful - Mozart piano concertos and a sonata, enjoyed by Robert Anderson. 'That these recordings are more than fifty years old only adds to their lustre.'

CD Spotlight. Distinct Insights - Dejan Lazic plays Beethoven, heard by Howard Smith. '... a crisp, vernal, excellently deliniated performance ...'

CD Spotlight. Instinctive Artistry - Jill Crossland plays Mozart and Beethoven, heard by Howard Smith. '... a distinctive, beautifully considered performance.'

CD Spotlight. Finely Displayed - Alfred Brendel plays Liszt, recommended by Robert Anderson. 'Michael Gielen backs Brendel's eloquence with unobtrusive skill.'

Ensemble. Impeccable Standards - Bill Newman's pick of June and July concerts at London's Wigmore Hall

CD Spotlight. Superbly Cogent - A new recording of Schubert's 'Winterreise', reviewed by Howard Smith. '... Steve Davislim and Anthony Romaniuk have earned a place among the highest achievers ...'

Profile. Tête-à-Tête - Bill Newman talks to British pianist Mark Bebbington

Record box. Crisp performance - Michel Dalberto plays Mozart Piano Concertos, reviewed by Patric Standford

Moments of happiness - Alfred Brendel wins the International Ernst von Siemens Music Award 2004, reported by Tess Crebbin

Mozart to savour - Alfred Brendel, Sir Charles Mackerras and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the Aldeburgh Festival, by Malcolm Miller