A marathon concert celebrating the 95th birthday of pianist, poet and polymath Alfred Brendel took place at the Barbican in a celebration of his life's complex contradictions. The music focused on classical repertoire, with Haydn's Representation of Chaos as its starting point, followed by a series of musical highlights that showcased Brendel's passions.
The orchestra, consisting of Brendel's colleagues, proteges and friends, was led by Simon Rattle and featured prominent musicians including Brett Dean and Till Fellner. The performance included comedic moments, such as Brendel's own humorous poems interspersed with miniatures by Ligeti and Kurtág, which were delivered by Harriet Walter.
However, the evening's musical highlights came later, with performances of Liszt's Elégie No 2 by Tim Horton and Brendel's cellist son Adrian, and a duet in Schubert's A minor Allegro. These moments showcased Brendel's influence on the next generation of pianists.
The concert also featured a surreal sequence, including a military-style band playing Kagel's Marches to Fall Short of Victory, which flowed seamlessly into Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3 with a solo performance by Paul Lewis. This transition was perhaps equally surreal and fitting for Brendel's eclectic legacy.
Perhaps the evening's highlight came from the slow movement of Schubert's C major Quintet played by the Takács Quartet plus Adrian Brendel. The piece conveyed a sense of absence, yet also acceptance and gratitude, making it a powerful statement on its own terms. For many, this moment was likely the most memorable part of the evening, encapsulating Brendel's artistry in all its complexity.
Proceeds from the concert went to the Alfred Brendel Young Musician's Trust, supporting students' access to professional-standard pianos.
The orchestra, consisting of Brendel's colleagues, proteges and friends, was led by Simon Rattle and featured prominent musicians including Brett Dean and Till Fellner. The performance included comedic moments, such as Brendel's own humorous poems interspersed with miniatures by Ligeti and Kurtág, which were delivered by Harriet Walter.
However, the evening's musical highlights came later, with performances of Liszt's Elégie No 2 by Tim Horton and Brendel's cellist son Adrian, and a duet in Schubert's A minor Allegro. These moments showcased Brendel's influence on the next generation of pianists.
The concert also featured a surreal sequence, including a military-style band playing Kagel's Marches to Fall Short of Victory, which flowed seamlessly into Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3 with a solo performance by Paul Lewis. This transition was perhaps equally surreal and fitting for Brendel's eclectic legacy.
Perhaps the evening's highlight came from the slow movement of Schubert's C major Quintet played by the Takács Quartet plus Adrian Brendel. The piece conveyed a sense of absence, yet also acceptance and gratitude, making it a powerful statement on its own terms. For many, this moment was likely the most memorable part of the evening, encapsulating Brendel's artistry in all its complexity.
Proceeds from the concert went to the Alfred Brendel Young Musician's Trust, supporting students' access to professional-standard pianos.
I'm not gonna lie, I think the whole "surreal sequence" thing was kinda overdone 
. I mean, who needs a military band playing weird music before Beethoven? It felt like they were trying too hard to be quirky and artsy 
. And what's with the slow movement of Schubert's C major Quintet feeling like a "powerful statement"? I think it just sounded nice 
.
Harriet Walter did a great job, I'll give her that, but still... 
. And supporting students' access to pianos is super cool 
!
that slow movement by Schubert with Takács and Adrian was insane 
it felt like they were performing just for each other 
what a night to remember! i'm so glad they did that marathon concert thingy... it was like he was saying thank you to everyone who's been inspired by him 
and those comedic moments with harriet walter had me giggling out loud 
and i loved how they wove all those different pieces together... it was like a symphony of Brendel's passions 
. and that transition from kagel to beethoven? mind blown 
. anyway, great to see the proceeds going to support young pianists, feels like a beautiful legacy 
this was like such an epic celebration for Alfred Brendel's 95th bday 
! I'm literally so impressed by how they got that surreal sequence from Kagel to Beethoven to work it out, like mind blown 
. I mean, Brendel's influence on the next gen of pianists is really inspiring 
!
. And supporting students' access to professional pianos is just wonderful 
, while also showcasing his incredible musical talents. The way Simon Rattle led the orchestra and featured all these talented musicians was just top-notch, really 
. And I have to say, that slow movement of Schubert's C major Quintet... *sigh* it was like a beautiful reflection on Brendel's artistry, you know? It felt so genuine and heartfelt 
. The fact that the proceeds went to supporting young musicians is just amazing too 
.
also harriet walter bringing laughs w/ Brendel's poems was pure gold 
the way the concert flowed from chaos to beethoven's piano concerto was straight up magic 
but honestly, that slow movement of schubert's quintet wuz like... i dont even have words 
it was like a rollercoaster of emotions - laughing at Brendel's poems and then getting all choked up during the Schubert quintet... 
i loved how it highlighted his complex legacy, showcasing how he influenced the next gen of pianists 
it's just so...extra. and what's up with these 'surreal sequences' anyway? is anyone even really listening to the music anymore or are we just following some weird avant-garde trend 
. And can we talk about the Takács Quartet's performance of Schubert's C major Quintet?