Background
Brendel, Alfred was born on January 5, 1931 in Wiesenberg, Moravia. Son of Albert and Ida (Wieltschnig) Brendel.
( A scholar and lover of literature as well as world-clas...)
A scholar and lover of literature as well as world-class pianist, Brendel offers in these essays a rare glimpse into the mind of an exceptional performer, wrestling with the duties and pleasures that come with making music.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0374216517/?tag=2022091-20
("I was not a child prodigy; indeed, I had none of the req...)
"I was not a child prodigy; indeed, I had none of the requisite qualities for making a successful career." This "shortcoming" has not prevented Alfred Brendel from becoming one of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century. His solo recitals and appearances with the leading orchestras of the world make him a regular guest in London, Paris, New York, Vienna, Berlin, Munich, and Amsterdam, and at the major European and American music festivals.In a series of dialogues with Martin Meyer, Brendel speaks about his life, the development of his career, his music-making, his travels, his poems and essays; about his childhood in Zagreb, adolescence in Graz, and experiences as a young man in Vienna ("I was in Vienna, but I was never a 'genuine' Viennese"); about literature, painting, architecture, and kitsch. Brendel talks about the freedoms and obligations of a performer and discusses the work ofmusicians who have fascinated him—Alfred Cortot, Edwin Fischer, Wilhelm Furtwängler, Wilhelm Kempff, and Bruno Walter—and those who have irritated him, as did Glenn Gould. The conversations between Brendel and Meyer are both serious and witty. Me of All People abounds in amusing anecdotes and contains penetrating insights into the music of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Liszt, Busoni, and Schoenberg. Alfred Brendel emerges as a deep thinker, a passionate skeptic, and an emotional musician. He is a multitalented figure with an engaging sense of humor, a healthy dose of modesty, and an enormous appetite for life.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0801440998/?tag=2022091-20
(In his second collection of poems, musician and writer Al...)
In his second collection of poems, musician and writer Alfred Brendel is by turns witty, plaintive, dadaist and grounded. "Cursing Bagels" follows the critically acclaimed volume "One Finger Too Many" and "Veil of Order".
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0571220703/?tag=2022091-20
Brendel, Alfred was born on January 5, 1931 in Wiesenberg, Moravia. Son of Albert and Ida (Wieltschnig) Brendel.
Studied piano under, Sofija Dezelic, Zagreb, Yugoslavia. Studied piano under, Ludovika V. Kaan, Graz, Austria. Studied piano under, Edwin Fischer, Lucerne, Switzerland.
Studied piano under, Paul Baumgartner, Basel, Switzerland. Studied piano under, Edward Steuermann, Salzburg, Austria. Studied harmony under Franjo Dugan, Zagreb.
Studied composition under A. Michl, Graz, Austria. Doctor of Music (honorary), University London, 1978. Doctor of Letters (honorary), Sussex University, 1981.
Doctor of Music (honorary), Oxford University, 1983. Doctor of Music (honorary), Warwick University, 1991. Doctor of Music (honorary), Yale University, 1992.
Fellow, Royal Northern College, Manchester, 1988. Bayer, Akademie der Wissenschaften.
through Europe, Latin America, North America since 1963; Australia 1963, 1966, 1969, 1976; has appeared at many music festivals, including Salzburg since 1960, Vienna, Edinburgh, Aldeburgh, Athens, Granada, Puerto Rico and has performed with most of the major orchestras of Europe and United States of America, etc.; numerous recordings, including complete piano works of Beethoven, Schubert’s piano works 1822-1828; Honorary R.A.M.; Honorary D.Mus. (London) 1978, (Oxford) 1983; Honorary Fellow, Exeter College Oxford 1987; Honorary Doctor of Letters (Sussex) 1981; Premio Citta de Bolzano, Concorso Busoni 1949, Grand Prix du Disque 1965, Edison Fellow, Exeter College Oxford 1987. Honorary Doctor of Letters (Sussex) 1981. Premio Citta de Bolzano, Concorso Busoni 1949, Grand Prix du Disque 1965, Edison.
( A scholar and lover of literature as well as world-clas...)
(In his second collection of poems, musician and writer Al...)
("I was not a child prodigy; indeed, I had none of the req...)
(Rep)
First piano recital Graz, 1940, concert tours through Europe, Latin American and North America, since 1963, Australia, 1963, 66, 69, 76, appeared at many music festivals including Salzburg, since 1960, Vienna, Berlin, Montreux, Lucerne, Edinburg, Aldeburgh, Athens, Granada, Puerto Rico. Has performed with most major orchestras in Europe and United States and others. Performed all Beethoven piano sonatas in concert cycle Paris, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Vienna, Hamburg, Basel, Dusseldorf, Freiburg, Vevey, New York City, 1983, 92—.
Recording The Alfred Brendel Collection. Author: Musical Thoughts & Afterthoughts, 1976, Music Sounded Out, 1990, One Finger Too Many, 1998, Alred Brendel on Music, 2001, Me Of All People, 2002, Cursing Bagels, 2004. Subject of documentary Alfred Brendel: Man & Mask, 2000.
Fellow Exeter College. Member American Academy Arts and Sciences (honorary), Royal Academy Music (honorary), Wiener Philharmoniker (honorary), Commander des Arts et Letters.
Married Iris Heymann-Gonzala, 1960 (divorced 1972). Married Irene Semler, 1975. Children: Adrian, Katharina, Sophie.