Role

:

Conductor  

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

January 5, 1931 in Wiesenberg, Moravia

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Alfred Brendel is a renowned Austrian pianist and poet who is widely regarded as one of the greatest classical musicians of the 20th century. He was born on January 5, 1931, in Wiesenberg, Austria, to a musical family. His father was a pianist and his mother was a singer, and they both encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Brendel began playing the piano at the age of six and gave his first public performance at the age of 17. He studied at the Graz Conservatory in Austria and later at the Vienna Music Academy, where he was taught by the legendary pianist Edwin Fischer. He also studied with Paul Baumgartner in Switzerland and Maria Curcio in London. Brendel's career as a concert pianist began in the 1950s, and he quickly gained a reputation as a virtuoso performer. He made his debut in London in 1952 and his New York debut in 1959. He has since performed in major concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Berlin Philharmonic. Brendel is particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Brahms. He has recorded the complete piano works of Beethoven, Mozart, and Schubert, as well as many other works by these composers. He has also recorded works by Bach, Haydn, Chopin, Liszt, and many others. Brendel has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1983, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, and in 1992 he was made an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He has also received the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art, the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize, and the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal. In addition to his career as a pianist, Brendel is also a respected writer and poet. He has published several books on music, including "Musical Thoughts and Afterthoughts" and "A Pianist's A-Z." He has also published several volumes of poetry, including "One Finger Too Many" and "Fingerzeige." Brendel retired from performing in 2008, but he continues to be an influential figure in the world of classical music. His recordings and writings continue to inspire and educate musicians and music lovers around the world.

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