Pianist Alfred Brendel Has Died, Age 94

Most known for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven, the pianist, composer, and poet passed away peacefully in London

Born on July 5, 1931, in northern Moravia (presently the Czech Republic), Alfred Brendel did not grow up in a musical family. He eventually went to study the piano at the Graz Conservatory in Austria, and then in Lucerne, where he met and took masterclasses with Edwin Fischer.

His formal training on the piano ended at 16, when he decided to take his studies into his own hands. During these teenage years, he was also an author and an exhibited painter, and made his performing debut in Graz in 1948.

A year later, he entered and won fourth prize in the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition, helping launch his over 60-year career as a performing and recording artist.

In solo recitals and concerto appearances, he played with the world's leading orchestras and conductors, and at most of the industry’s most prominent venues and festivals.

He became known for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven and became the first pianist to record all of Beethoven’s piano works. He recorded Beethoven's Piano Concertos four times — the last case in 1999 with the Vienna Philharmonic and Sir Simon Rattle.

In addition to Beethoven, he also helped highlight Haydn's piano works in our standard repertoire, in addition to Schubert’s Sonatas and Schoenberg’s Concerto. He's also credited with rekindling interest in Liszt’s piano music.

Also a dedicated pedagogue, his pupils include the likes of Paul Lewis, Till Fellner, Imogen Cooper, and Kit Armstrong.

Regarded as the "musicians’ musician," his many accolades include, but are not limited to, the Herbert von Karajan Music Prize for Lifetime Achievement and Gramophone magazine’s Lifetime Achievement award.

As a writer, he has an extensive bibliography, and his well-known humor and interest in culture were evident in his book of poetry, "One Finger Too Many."

Later in life, his performances decreased due to back trouble and, eventually, acute hearing loss.

Today, tributes are pouring in for the pianist and his family.

Violinist Lisa Batiashvili wrote on social media, "My dear Alfred,thank you for every precious moment shared—listening to music together, laughing, hearing your stories,and your poems, learning from your wisdom, and being moved by the unforgettable concerts you gave us."

Pianist Igor Levit said Brendel was “a unique musician and artist, a giant has passed away.”

Our condolences to Mr. Brendel's family, friends, students, and colleagues.