Alfred Brendel
'I am responsible to the composer, and particularly to the piece'
'I am responsible to the composer, and particularly to the piece'.
Brendel is regarded as one of the most thoughtful interpreters of classical Germanic works by such composers as Beethoven, Schubert and Mozart. He plays relatively few 20th century works, but is closely associated with Arnold Schoenberg's Piano Concerto. Toward the end of his concert career he stopped playing many of the most physically demanding pieces in the repertoire, such as the Hammerklavier Sonata of Beethoven, owing to problems with arthritis.
Brendel has been Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music since 1972.