Alfred Brendel (1931-2025)

I'm generally not one to adulate artistic personalities, but I note with genuine sadness the passing of Alfred Brendel at 94. I first became aware of his work from when he was a young pianist in "budget" recordings of Mozart piano concertos and Beethoven's complete piano works in somewhat murky 1950s era budget recordings, re-released in this country on Vox/Turnabout (licensed from European labels) in the late 1960s. His musicianship and delicate precision introduced me to the great pleasures of classical piano music at an early age. He matured into one of the great artists of the instrument, and was a noted teacher as well. R.I.P.