Alfred Brendel, Pianist Renowned for Refined Playing of Beethoven, Dies at Age 94

AP file photo
Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel performs at the piano with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at the Lucerne Festival in Lucerne, Switzerland on Sept. 5, 2006.
LONDON (AP) — Alfred Brendel, a pianist and poet renowned for his refined playing of Beethoven over a six-decade career, died Tuesday at his home in London. He was 94.
Brendel's death was announced by the public relations agency Bolton & Quinn.
Born in what is now the Czech Republic, Brendel gave his first recital in Graz, Austria, in 1948 at age 17. His final concert was with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein on Dec. 18, 2008.
'I grew up in a family that was not musically inclined, not artistically inclined and not intellectual, so I had to find out a lot of things for myself,' he said in a 2012 interview for the Verbier Festival. 'I was a young person who in the early 20s did not think I have to achieve something within five years but I thought I would like to be able to do certain things when I'm 50. And when I was 50 I said to myself I have actually done most of the things I want to do.'
Brendel also was praised for his interpretations of Mozart, Schubert, Liszt and Haydn. He recorded the 32 Beethoven piano sonatas three times, and he played them over a month at New York's Carnegie Hall in 1983, among 77 recitals in 11 cities during the 1982-83 season. He repeated the sonatas again at Carnegie over three seasons in the 1990s.
'With winks to the audience and demonstrative hand movements, he has a playful manner that offsets his serious, contemplative interpretations,' The Associated Press wrote during the 1990s cycle.
Born on Jan. 5, 1931, in Wiesenberg, northern Moravia, Brendel studied piano in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, with Sofia Dezelic and then at the Graz Conservatory with Ludovika von Kaan. He also took composition lessons with Artur Michl. His studies were interrupted when he and his mother fled as the Russian army invaded during World War II.
'When I turned 16, my piano teacher told me I should now continue on my own and give a first public recital,' he recalled during a lecture after his retirement. 'I should also audition for the great Swiss pianist Edwin Fischer, which I did the following year. Three of his masterclasses that I attended during the Lucerne festivals made an impact that lasts to this day. I also met Eduard Steuermann, the pupil of Busoni and Schoenberg. Apart from these encounters, I studied on my own.'
Brendel had lived in London since 1971. He received 10 Grammy nominations without winning. He wrote several books, including a collection of poems called 'Cursing Bagels.'
'I used to live a double life,' he said in a 2012 interview with the Verbier Festival. 'I'm also a literary person lecturing, giving readings of my poems and teaching.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Mainichi

18 hours ago

• The Mainichi

What to know about BTS as the K-pop group returns from military service

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- It's official -- almost. Soon, all seven members of the massively popular K-pop group BTS will have completed South Korea's mandatory military service. Rapper Suga will be the last of the bandmates to be released on Saturday, after fulfilling his duty as a social service agent, an alternative to serving in the military that he reportedly chose due to a shoulder injury. BTS' entertainment agency said no events are planned for Suga's release out of concern for overcrowding. The six others, RM, V, Jimin, Jung Kook, Jin and j-hope, served in the army. Earlier this month, four members of BTS -- RM, V, Jimin and Jung Kook -- were discharged from South Korea's mandatory military service. Jin, the eldest BTS member, was discharged in June 2024 as was j-hope in October. BTS is expected to reunite later this year. Ahead of that highly anticipated homecoming, here's what you need to know about the group. The rise of BTS BTS -- short for Bangtan Sonyeondan, or "Bulletproof Boy Scouts" in Korean -- debuted in June 2013 under the company Big Hit Entertainment, now known as HYBE. The seven-member group consists of RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook. The group launched in 2013 with the hip-hop heavy single album "2 Cool 4 Skool," releasing three full-length projects before really gaining momentum with their 2016 album "Wings." Their global breakthrough came in 2017 when "DNA" entered the Billboard Hot 100, making BTS the first Korean boy band to achieve such a feat. The song's success was followed by a performance at the American Music Awards, further fueling their international fan base. The band is largely credited with bringing K-pop to the international stage, and with good reason. Across their discography, BTS broke boundaries and records: In 2020, they released the five-time platinum "Dynamite," their first all-English single, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 -- a first for an all-South Korean musical act. At the height of their popularity, BTS was not only the biggest K-pop group on the planet, but the biggest boy band overall. Global appeal In fact, they've been certified platinum many times over, according to The Recording Industry Association of America. Their platinum successes include: -- 2018's "Mic Drop;" -- 2020's "Map of the Soul: 7," "Love Yourself: Answer," and "Idol;" -- 2021's "Be," and song of the summer "Butter;" -- and high-profile collaborations "My Universe" with Coldplay and "Boy With Luv" featuring Halsey. BTS has also been nominated for five Grammy Awards. Their first, for "Dynamite" in the best pop duo/group performance category, marked the first time a K-pop act received a Grammy nod. As their global popularity grew, the septet also became international advocates for social justice. Their 2018 address to the United Nations General Assembly launched the "Love Myself" campaign in partnership with UNICEF to combat violence, abuse and bullying while promoting self-esteem among young people. The group's commitment to human rights activism continued in 2020 when they donated $1 million to the Black Lives Matter movement, denouncing racial discrimination and violence. Their fan base, known the world over as ARMY, responded by matching the donation within 24 hours. Their dual impact on music and social causes culminated in 2022 when they were invited to the White House to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes with President Joe Biden. BTS' mandatory military service stirs debate In South Korea, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 are required by law to perform 18-21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea. The law gives special exemptions to athletes, classical and traditional musicians, and ballet and other dancers if they have obtained top prizes in certain competitions and are assessed to have enhanced national prestige. K-pop stars and other entertainers aren't subject to such privileges. However, in 2020, BTS postponed their service until age 30 after South Korea's National Assembly revised its Military Service Act, allowing K-pop stars to delay their enlistment until age 30. There was heated public debate in 2022 over whether to offer special exemptions of mandatory military service for BTS members, until the group's management agency announced in October 2022 that all seven members would fulfill their duties. Break allows time for solo projects BTS tiered their enlistments, giving ample time for its members to focus on solo projects while the group was on a break. Jin released two EPs, "Happy" in 2024 and "Echo" in May of this year. Suga dropped his debut solo album, "D-Day," in 2023 under his moniker Agust D. Also in 2024, RM released his second solo album, the elastic, experimental "Right Place, Wrong Person", and j-hope released an EP, "Hope on the Street Vol. 1." Earlier this year, j-hope embarked on his first solo tour. Jimin released two projects, 2023's "Face" and 2024's "Muse." V's debut album, the smooth alt-R&B "Layover," arrived in 2023, as did Jung Kook's retro-pop debut, "Golden."

a day ago

Japan Emperor, Empress to Visit Mongolia July 6-13

News from Japan Jun 20, 2025 11:54 (JST) Tokyo, June 20 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government on Friday adopted a plan for Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to visit Mongolia as state guests from July 6 to 13. They will be the first reigning Emperor and Empress to visit Mongolia. The Emperor visited the country in 2007 when he was Crown Prince. The schedule of the upcoming trip was decided at a cabinet meeting. According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Emperor and Empress will leave Tokyo's Haneda Airport aboard a government plane on July 6 and arrive in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, the same day. On July 8, the couple will attend a welcome ceremony and a meeting with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and his wife. At a banquet hosted by the president and his wife, the Emperor will deliver a speech. The Imperial couple will offer flowers at the cenotaph for some 1,700 Japanese who were detained by the former Soviet Union after World War II and died in Mongolia. On July 11, they will attend the opening ceremony of Naadam, Mongolia's biggest festival. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press

Metropolis Japan

2 days ago

• Metropolis Japan

Takahata Isao Exhibition: The Man Who Planted Japanese Animation

The year 2025 marks two significant milestones: 80 years ago, the Pacific War came to an end, and 90 years ago, the legendary anime director, producer, and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Isao Takahata (1935-2018), was born. In celebration of the 90th anniversary of Takahata's birth, Azabudai Hills Gallery presents a comprehensive retrospective exhibition on Takahata's profound legacy and significant impact on Japanese animation from June 27 to September 15. The exhibition is organized in collaboration with Studio Ghibli, and delves into Takahata's imposing artistic journey: Tracing his early inspirations, creative philosophy, and groundbreaking innovations in Japanese animation. The exhibition features a special focus on Grave of the Fireflies (1988), a highly moving anti-war film shaped by Takahata's own experience growing up during World War II. By exploring Takahata's wide range of productions–including celebrated early projects such as Heidi, Girl of the Alps (1974) and Anne of Green Gables (1979) to his influential contributions at Studio Ghibli, including Only Yesterday (1991), Pom Poko (1994) and his final production The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)–the exhibition deepens and unfolds Takahata's indelible mark on Japanese animation. The exhibition is open every day from 10.00 am-8.00 pm (last entry 7.30 pm). Please note, that in the period from June 27 to July 18, Tuesdays and Sundays are 10.00 am-5 pm with last entry 4.30 pm. Head to the website to learn more about tickets and special tours offered as part of the exhibition.