Brendel at 80

Alfred Brendel: 80th Birthday Tribute

Beethoven:

  • Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110

Brahms:

  • Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15
  • Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Colin Davis

Mozart:

  • Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K503
  • SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg, Hans Zender

Schubert:

  • Impromptu in F Minor, D935 No. 1

Alfred Brendel studied piano, composition and conducting in Zagreb, Yugoslavia and Graz, Austria; and he completed his piano studies with Edwin Fischer, Paul Baumgartner, and Edward Steuermann. His international career began after winning a prize at the 1949 Busoni Competition

Alfred Brendel celebrated his 80th birthday on 5 January 2011, and this occasion is celebrated with FOUR major releases.

Brendel is a legend of the piano world, revered and applauded the world over. Famed for his amazing interpretations of Viennese classics: In my view he is a master interpreter of Schubert, and I have also loved his playing of the Beethoven sonatas and Concerti. I play very often his performances of all the Beethoven works for Cello which Mr. Brendel recorded with his son Adrian playing the Cello part.

On the two CD’s in this album we get to hear Brendel’s recordings of the Brahms Piano Concerto no.1 and the Mozart Piano Concerto no. 25.

Here is Brendel performing Mozart’s Piano Sonata K 457, first movement:

And here is Alfred Brendel again, as he gives a very brief access to the cameras, revealing a fascinating and intimate portrait of the man and the musician:

If you’d like to purchase this CD at Amazon, please click the image below to complete your purchase:

Tags: Alfred Brendel, 80th birthday, musician, pianist, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms

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