Alfred Brendel

When the pianist Francesco Piemontesi hears an unreleased recording of the pianist and composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, it comes as a shock to him. This freedom of playing, these colors and nuances, this virtuosity, which is always presented with a smile, overwhelms him. He decides to explore what he believes he is hearing here: the alchemy of the piano.

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An intimate account of the relationship between young composer and pianist Kit Armstrong and the world renowned Alfred Brendel, Set the Piano Stool on Fire captures both the creative process and champions the value of teaching and collaboration. Featuring the only filmed footage of Brendel during his farewell tour, this is highly revealing and essential viewing for anyone interested in classical music.

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ALFRED BRENDEL, EMI CLASSICS (CLASSIC ARCHIVE), BEETHOVEN SONATA OP. 106, BAGATELLES

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Internationally renowned pianist Alfred Brendel delivers three different lectures: 'Does Classical Music Have to Be Entirely Serious?', 'Musical Characters', and 'Light and Shade of Interpretation'. Using his piano throughout to illustrate various ideas and concepts. The subject matter for the different sessions include the use of humour in classical music, Beethoven's sonatas, and interpretation. Recorded at the Schuttkasten, Salzburg, 25, 26, 27 September 2010.

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Pianomania takes the audience on a humorous journey through the secret world of sound and accompanies Stefan Knüpfer in his extraordinary work with the greatest pianists in the world. To select the instrument that corresponds to the vision of the virtuoso, according it to his desire and accompany him until he goes on stage, Stefan Knüpfer has developed nerves of steel, a boundless passion and above ability to translate words into sounds.

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Keen to dispel some long-held misconceptions about the compositions of Franz Schubert, renowned Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel uses words and music to make his case in this third volume of his engaging performance series. Here, Brendel offers brilliantly nuanced performances and insightful musical analysis of the revered Romantic composer's Sonata in G Major, D. 894, and Impromptus D. 899 and D. 935.

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Competently as usual and with a lot of visinary energy, Claudio Abbado conducted his LUCERNE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA at the opening of LUCERNE FESTIVAL, SOMMER 2005. The programm included Beethoven's impressive Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37, with Alfred Brendel as soloist and, as the very heart of the opening programme of SOMMER 2005, Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 7.

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A tribute to the great Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel, who died at the age of 94 on 17 June 2025. An acclaimed performer of Beethoven, he leaves behind him a musical legacy spanning more than sixty years. His performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 at Lucerne in 2005 was a highlight of the festival, conducted by Claudio Abbado, another icon of classical music.

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An acclaimed profile of Alfred Brendel, one of the world's finest pianists, the film includes contributions from some leading performers, including Simon Rattle. It is a rare insight into the life and work of one of the greatest musicians of our times. Brendel is acknowledged to be one of the most accomplished interpreters of the work of Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Schubert and Haydn as well as the works of Brahms and Liszt. The film also reveals another side to Brendel - from his childhood in Austria to his interest in art, poetry and humour.

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Documentary on historically accurate performances in classical music.

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A portrait of pianist Alfred Brendel performing and analysing Franz Schubert's final three sonatas.

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Certainly Brendel plays these pieces beautifully. He never overstates, which is lovely. Best of all, they remind me that they (for my money) are the best of the Liszt keyboard compositions. It is good to see the ease with which he plays. No flash, just wonderfully constructed music. They remind me of the same expert expression the composer brought to his Petrach songs.

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