Description
Alfred Brendel – The Farewell Concerts (Vienna & Hanover, 2008) – 2CD
UPC: 028947821168
Catalog Number (MPN): 478 2116 DX2
Label: Decca
Release Date: November 2, 2009
Format: 2 × CD, Album, Stereo
Genre: Classical
Style: Classical, Romantic
Overview
In December 2008, Alfred Brendel, one of the 20th century’s greatest pianists, gave his final public performances before retirement. Captured live in Vienna’s Musikverein and Hanover’s Großer Sendesaal, this 2-CD set presents The Farewell Concerts — a deeply personal and historic document of Brendel’s artistry.
With the Wiener Philharmoniker under Sir Charles Mackerras, Brendel performs Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat major, K.271 “Jeunehomme”. The recital also features Haydn’s Variations in F minor, Mozart and Beethoven piano sonatas, Schubert’s monumental B-flat Sonata, D960, and encores by Beethoven, Schubert, and Bach (arr. Busoni).
Critics hailed these concerts as the closing chapter of a “titan’s” career — a farewell marked by refinement, depth, and poetic intensity.
Product Features
- Live Recordings: Vienna (Musikverein, 18 Dec 2008) & Hanover (NDR Großer Sendesaal, 14 Dec 2008)
- Total Playing Time: ~141 minutes
- Booklet: Essays by Brendel, Clemens Hellsberg, Mackerras, and Wolfgang Rehm
-
Performers:
- Alfred Brendel – piano
- Wiener Philharmoniker
- Sir Charles Mackerras – conductor
- Packaging: Standard 2-CD case with enclosed booklet
Track Listing
CD 1 – The Vienna Concert 1–3. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat major, K.271 “Jeunehomme” (cadenza by Mozart)
- I. Allegro – 10:42
- II. Andantino – 13:17
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III. Rondeau: Presto — Menuetto: Cantabile — Tempo Primo – 10:45
-
Haydn: Variations in F minor, Hob.XVII:6 – 11:38
5–7. Mozart: Piano Sonata No. 9 in F major, K.533/494
- I. Allegro – 7:55
- II. Andante – 9:38
- III. Rondo (Allegretto) – 7:23
CD 2 – The Hanover Recital 1–4. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 13 in E-flat major, Op.27 No.1
- Andante – Allegro – Tempo I – 4:47
- Allegro molto e vivace – 2:00
- Adagio con espressione – 3:05
- Allegro vivace – Tempo I – Presto – 6:30
5–8. Schubert: Piano Sonata in B-flat major, D960
- I. Molto moderato – 15:17
- II. Andante sostenuto – 9:10
- III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace con delicatezza — Trio – 4:05
- IV. Allegro, ma non troppo – 9:19
Encores
- Beethoven: Bagatelle in A major, Op.33 No.4 – 3:33
- Schubert: Impromptu in G-flat major, D899 No.3 – 6:16
- J.S. Bach (arr. Busoni): Chorale Prelude “Nun komm’, der Heiden Heiland,” BWV 659 – 5:45
Interesting Facts
- These concerts mark the final chapter of Alfred Brendel’s public career after more than 60 years of performing.
- Brendel chose repertoire reflecting his lifelong pillars: Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, and Bach.
- The Mozart Concerto was performed with the legendary Wiener Philharmoniker, a frequent partner throughout Brendel’s career.
- Described by The Guardian as “an irreplaceable artist” and by The Daily Telegraph as “a titan,” Brendel’s farewell was met with standing ovations and international acclaim.
Publishers & Credits
- Label: Decca / Universal Music Group
- Recording Credits: ORF (Vienna concerto), NDR (Hanover recital)
- Producers: Florian Rosensteiner (concerto), Rita Hermeyer (recital)
- Engineers: Martin Lohmann, Wolfgang Fahrner
- Executive Producer: Ben Pateman
Hashtags
#AlfredBrendel #FarewellConcerts #DeccaClassics #MozartConcerto #WienerPhilharmoniker #SirCharlesMackerras #BeethovenSonata #SchubertD960 #HaydnVariations #BachBusoni #LegendaryPianists
