« Music Musicians » died, legendary pianist and writer Alfred Bredel

Alfred Bredel, one of the most respected and influential pianists and writers of our time, widely known as the « musician of musicians », died at his home in London at the age of 94.

If there was no Alfred Bredel we should probably have invented him. The iconic pianist, with his rich career that lasted for over 60 years, left his great imprint on musical education, pioneering recordings and a deep spiritual approach to music.

Bretel’s death was announced on Tuesday (17/06) by his family. In their joint statement, his partner Maria Mainos, his ex -wife, Irene Bredel, his four children and his grandchildren, bid him farewell to « deep gratitude and love ».

One of the leading performers of Beethoven’s works, a renowned essayist and poet, Alfred Bretel was a life agreement.

Alfred Bredel was born on January 5, 1931 in Moravia (today’s Czech Republic) and spent his childhood mainly in Croatia and Austria.

« I was not a child-miracle, no Eastern European, no Jew as far as I know, » he said in interviews. « I don’t read well at first glance, I have no terrible memory and I didn’t come from music, artistic or spiritual family. I had affectionate parents, but I had to discover things on my own. « 

He studied piano and composition until the age of 16, and then he was largely self -taught.

Bretel gave his first public recital to Graz with works by Bach, Brahms and Lists on the program, while one of the Encore was his own composition – a double -fugue sonata – at the age of just 17.

Teenager Bredel was also a writer and painter who had exhibited his works, but in 1949 won the fourth prize at the famous Bouzoni competition, which launched his career as an executive musician.

His career in concerts and recordings lasted for more than 60 years, with performances in the most important music centers and festivals in the world, next to top orchestras and conductors.

Bredel was particularly linked to Beethoven’s music, performing the first comprehensive recording of all the composer’s piano works while playing a leading role in highlighting Joseph Houdn’s importance as a composer, in the establishment of Sunni and Sunni’s Sunni and Sunni. The Guardian’s piano notes.

Brendel moved to London, London in 1971 and had three children from his second marriage (his son, Adrian, is a recognized cellist, while his daughter from his first marriage, Doris, is a pop singer and rock singer).

His latest public concert took place in Vienna in 2008, but in the following years he continued to publish poetry and essays, lectures and teaching masterclasses.

Musician

« I do not feel guilty that I am ‘witty’ if that means I think of the structure, character and humor in a musical work, » he told the Guardian in 2010, on the occasion of his award with the Gramophone Lifetime Achievement award.

« But I’m not talking about wooden resolution, which is relatively easy if you know how to do it. I do the opposite. I become familiar with a piece and wait for me to tell me what it is, and what makes it a masterpiece. This is what fascinates me, ”he added.

Recognized by his colleagues as the « musician of the musicians » as well as the « pianist mentor », Bredel had students such as Paul Lewis, Imogen Cooper, Kit Armstrong and Til Felner, and dedicated a significant part of his time to sharing his experiences.

« Alfred Bredel was my guide, my mentor and an endless source of inspiration for more than 30 years, and his death is a huge loss not only for music, but on a personal level for those of us who were fortunate to be guided and touched by him.

« (He was) unique to the pantheon of the great pianists – inspired and incompatible, with a great knowledge of literature and art as well as music. His playing was intense and visionary, his teaching no less – but his humor was always there, « Cooper added.

Bredel received 23 Honorary titles from Universities such as Weimar, Cambridge, Oxford, Yale and Juilliard School, Honorary Vice President of the Royal Academy of Music and a series of recognized awards such as Son. Praemium Imperiale in Japan.

Brendel, who left at the age of 94, inherited an invaluable body of recordings and a condition of thought that will continue to inspire as a pillar of spiritual depth and great musical intelligence.