Alfred Brendel Essentials

The Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel, who died in June 2025, was recognised equally for his stylish Mozart and Haydn as much for his profoundly insightful Beethoven and phenomenal Liszt. Like a skilled actor who plays a variety of roles, Brendel inhabited the styles of different composers seemingly without self-conscious effort. Whether immersed in the beguiling lyricism of Mozart, the expressive yet clearly delineated counterpoint of Bach, the mercurial changes of mood in Schubert (try the “Scherzo” from his Sonata in A), or the fiery virtuosity of Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor, Brendel was master of them all. He was also a much admired and collegial soloist when performing and recording concertos, ideal for such non-adversarial works as Schumann’s Piano Concerto. Beethoven was Brendel’s greatest passion, and he was the first to record all the German composer’s piano works. Try the profound nobility of the slow movement from Piano Sonata No. 8 (the “Pathétique”), the relentless power of Sonata No. 17 (the “Tempest”), or the soothing discourse of Piano Concerto No. 4 to hear Brendel’s empathy with that great composer in all his moods.