Accessibility links
Alfred Brendel Alfred Brendel artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music

Alfred Brendel

Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel at the piano, circa 1970. He died Tuesday at his home in London at age 94.

Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel at the piano, circa 1970. He died Tuesday at his home in London at age 94. Erich Auerbach/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Erich Auerbach/Getty Images

Music News

Alfred Brendel, the cerebral pianist with a dry wit, dies at 94

Routinely called a "musician's musician," the pianist had an atypical career that even he called mysterious. He spent it returning to a handful of favorite composers, with acclaimed results.

Alfred Brendel, the cerebral pianist with a dry wit, dies at 94

Listen · 3:55
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/533802056/nx-s1-5497001-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Guest DJ Jessye Norman: From Augusta To Valhalla

Soprano Jessye Norman leaves the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York on Thursday after taping the Late Show with David Letterman. Ray Tamarra/WireImage hide caption

toggle caption
Ray Tamarra/WireImage

Deceptive Cadence

Guest DJ Jessye Norman: From Augusta To Valhalla

After decades of performing, the celebrated soprano's enthusiasm for music is irresistible. She chooses some of her favorite recordings for an informal session of listening and conversation.

Guest DJ Jessye Norman: From Augusta To Valhalla

Listen · 5:57
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/364758676/372070514" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org