Renowned Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel has died at the age of 94, passing away peacefully at his home in London, surrounded by loved ones. His spokesman, Thomas Hull, confirmed the news to AFP.
Brendel was celebrated as one of the most influential pianists of the 20th century, especially revered for his profound interpretations of Beethoven. His career spanned over six decades, during which he also gained global recognition for his performances of Mozart, Schubert, Liszt, and Haydn.
Born on January 5, 1931, in Wiesenberg, Northern Moravia (now in the Czech Republic), Brendel began learning the piano in Zagreb and later studied at the Graz Conservatory. He gave his first recital in Austria at age 17, despite coming from a non-musical family. In a past interview, he reflected on how much of his artistic development came from personal exploration rather than formal guidance.
Brendel survived wartime turmoil, fleeing with his mother during the Russian invasion in World War II. In 1971, he settled permanently in London, where he remained for the rest of his life.
He gave his final public performance in 2008, playing with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein, marking the end of a distinguished stage career. Notably, he recorded the complete cycle of Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas three times, including a celebrated international tour in 1983.
Beyond music, Brendel was also a prolific writer and poet, publishing several books on music and essays. Despite being nominated 10 times for a Grammy Award, he never won, though his legacy in classical music remains deeply respected.
