Alfred Brendel

[dinosaurtales]

So here I sit in my hotel room in Seattle.  Tomorrow afternoon is the Alfred Brendel recital!  What fun!  He's going to play Mozart, Haydn, Schumann, and, of course, Schubert! - moments Musicaux, I believe. (sp?)

[Pianostudy]

Wow! I envy you.. where is this recital?  I would love to see Brendel perform sometime. 

[steinwayguy]

So here I sit in my hotel room in Seattle. Tomorrow afternoon is the Alfred Brendel recital! What fun! He's going to play Mozart, Haydn, Schumann, and, of course, Schubert! - moments Musicaux, I believe. (sp?)

More specific program, s'il vous plait?

[dinosaurtales]

Well, let's see if I can remember - (I apologize for my spelling - I know it's awful)

Schumann's Krieleriana
Mozart variations - can't remember the K number -
Haydn Sonata - Hob 48 I think
Schubert's Moments Musicaux

and maybe something else, I can't remember.  I suspect it'll be one of the very few times I really like hearing Mozart and Haydn in a recital.  I think he does those things well.  He was here a few years ago, too, and was wonderful then - at Benaroya Hall in Seattle.  The only sort of bummer is that the hall is HUGE (it's where their symphone plays) and I had seats way in the back last time, which made it tough to hear.  I have GOOD seats this time, so I am looking forward to it.   I'm from Portland, but a lot of the concerts are worth the drive up! 

[BoliverAllmon]

so how did it go.

[dinosaurtales]

The guy is amazing.  I assume the Kriesleriana is a hard piece.  Sounded hard, thick harmonies with voices popping out from various spots throughout.  He looked like he was playing chopsticks the whole time.  everything looked easy, even if it sounded hard.  It almost made a weird effect.  It was also nice to hear a recital that wasn't hell bent on flash and dazzle - I am getting bored with all that pyrotechnic stuff. 

[BoliverAllmon]

The guy is amazing.  I assume the Kriesleriana is a hard piece.  Sounded hard, thick harmonies with voices popping out from various spots throughout.  He looked like he was playing chopsticks the whole time.  everything looked easy, even if it sounded hard.  It almost made a weird effect.  It was also nice to hear a recital that wasn't hell bent on flash and dazzle - I am getting bored with all that pyrotechnic stuff. 

That is one thing that I like about Brendel he isn't so flashy that he is absolutely boring.

[dinosaurtales]

Part of it is that he wasn't afraid to play what you guys woiuld call "easy" stuff - he played Schubert's Moments Musicaux.  It was just beautiful.  I actually think a lot of recitalists are afraid of such music - they get so used to just cranking out notes. 

He's also really stoic - he's tall, or at least appears tall, so he's perfectly straight at the piano, and his hands are soooooooo still and calm. 

[Kapellmeister27]

Hey, Brendel is coming to play that same concert in St. Paul in a few weeks.  I think it's interesting that he's ending with a Haydn sonata.  It will be interesting to hear the kriesleriana again.  The only other time i'ver heard it wastwo years ago played by Mei Ting.  I cant wait to go

[Graf Zahl]

I already heard him play exactly this program in the Leipzig Gewandhaus. It was the most touching performance I have ever seen or heard. An event I will never forget in my whole life.  His Mozart (I really thought I dont like Mozart)...the Schubert... - Words simply can't express it. Everyone with the opportunity should really go for it. It's something you will NEVER get from ANY recording.

[mikeyg]

On thursday the 24th he is playing at Carnegie Hall

MOZART Nine Variations on a Minuet by J. P. Duport, K. 573
SCHUMANN Kreisleriana, Op. 16
SCHUBERT From Moments musicaux, D.780
·· No. 1 in C Major
·· No. 2 in A-flat Major
·· No. 4 in C-sharp minor
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 15 in D Major, Op. 28, "Pastoral

Sounds interesting. 

[march05]

alfred brendel - very very fine musician... definitely my favourite for mozart & beethoven.  though [opens umbrella to deflect the eggs i see coming], whenever someone mentions his concert, i can imagine the program even without looking at it. mozart, haydn, beethoven, schubert... now there's no moral intended for this post, it's just a thought...

[BoliverAllmon]

alfred brendel - very very fine musician... definitely my favourite for mozart & beethoven.  though [opens umbrella to deflect the eggs i see coming], whenever someone mentions his concert, i can imagine the program even without looking at it. mozart, haydn, beethoven, schubert... now there's no moral intended for this post, it's just a thought...

I personally haven't found his Mozart to be my taste. I am not sure just why. I just don't like it. It is interesting to see that so many other people just love his interpretations.

[march05]

sure, everyone's got their own tastes... Bolliver I'm just curious, whose playing of mozart you prefer?

[BoliverAllmon]

sure, everyone's got their own tastes... Bolliver I'm just curious, whose playing of mozart you prefer?

hard to say. I have jeno jando (I think) playing all the sonatas and concertoes. His playing is kinda bland, but because it is straight through I sing it in my head and make it sound how I want to. I like brendel touch and singing quality, but I hate his rubato and overall tempo. I did enjoy Horowitz playing some mozart. To this day, I have never heard his fantasy in D min. played like it is in my head. I guess I will have to fix that problem some day. HEHEHEHE!!!!!

boliver

[jwtweedy]

hi, could someone tell me what the second encore, by Bach I believe, was that Brendel played at Carnegie Hall last night?  I'd appreciate it.

[Ashley_Steinway]

If only I could answer that question... I'd love to hear him live.

Anyway, has anyone got/seen his DVD? It's called simply "Alfred Brendel in Portrait". On it, he chronicles his life and times and discusses his life in general with the interviewer.

There's also a 30-minute talk between him and Sir Simon Rattle, discussing a performance of Beethoven's second piano concerto. It's like watching the faces of God sit before you in casual conversation. Excellent.

The highlight of the feature though is a short recital; Haydn Sonata in Eflat XVI/49, Mozart Sonata in Cmin K.457 and Schubert Impromptu No.3 D.899. A typical programme of Brendel but nonetheless astounding.

If you haven't seen this, do so. NOW!

--Ash--

[BoliverAllmon]

If only I could answer that question... I'd love to hear him live.

Anyway, has anyone got/seen his DVD? It's called simply "Alfred Brendel in Portrait". On it, he chronicles his life and times and discusses his life in general with the interviewer.

There's also a 30-minute talk between him and Sir Simon Rattle, discussing a performance of Beethoven's second piano concerto. It's like watching the faces of God sit before you in casual conversation. Excellent.

The highlight of the feature though is a short recital; Haydn Sonata in Eflat XVI/49, Mozart Sonata in Cmin K.457 and Schubert Impromptu No.3 D.899. A typical programme of Brendel but nonetheless astounding.

If you haven't seen this, do so. NOW!

--Ash--

I have a bootleg copy of the dvd that only has the recital on it. nice playing indeed.

boliver

[maxy]

Mozart variations Duport
Schumann's Kreisleriana
Haydn Sonata C major- Hob 48
Schubert's 6 Moments Musicaux

encore: Schubert Impromptu d899 #4


I heard that recital last week in Ottawa.
Brendel is much better live than on rec.
All was good.  In the Kreiseriana, the voicing was so well done that it felt like a string quartet...
I never imagined that Moment musical # 3 could sound so good.
Haydn was very refreshing.

I was deeply impressed.  Brendel is a fantastic pianist.

[apion]

He's also really stoic - he's tall, or at least appears tall, so he's perfectly straight at the piano,

He has a history of serious back problems (I believe), so, by necessity, he sit's very rigidly and appears stoic.  He's one of my faves as well 

[BoliverAllmon]

He has a history of serious back problems (I believe), so, by necessity, he sit's very rigidly and appears stoic.  He's one of my faves as well 

I have a choir teacher that is the same way. He has real bad back problems and therefore always sits perfectly straight up.

boliver

[dj]

hey i just saw brendel play this program yesterday at symphony center in chicago, only with the beethoven pastoral sonata as the finale in place of the haydn...and i felt rather embarrased at not being familiar with either of the encores, though i would b willing to swear on my piano that the first was mozart and the second was bach...the recital was quite brilliant..nothing flashy, but everything was so clear and fluid...i wish i could play like that *sigh* lol alright well theres my comments 4 ya!

dj

[apion]

I have a choir teacher that is the same way. He has real bad back problems and therefore always sits perfectly straight up.

boliver

Ironically, being forced to have perfect posture may be a blessing in disguise ....... 

[BoliverAllmon]

I know I said that I don't like brendel's Mozart. I stand somewhat corrected.  I just heard him play Mozart's C min sonata. (can't remember the number though) that is a real cool sonata. I like his interpretation. I don't know if that is because I have never heard the piece before or if it is because he did a good job. Dunno. I can only say that I dig it. His rubato was better in this one vs. a cd I had heard of his before.

boliver

[apion]

I know I said that I don't like brendel's Mozart.

I find that I admire the vast majority of Brendel's output.