ALFRED BRENDEL: THE FAREWELL CONCERTS

“Here we have Mozart's first great concerto, K271, with Brendel joined by his more recent Mozartian partner, Sir Charles Mackerras. It's a musical marriage made in heaven, especially when you add the VPO to the mix. Every phrase has such detail, such intricate colouring, yet again, it's detailing that comes of long exposure to a work, built of over the years like a patina, rather than something superficially applied on a single level. The performance is unhurried but not in anyway sluggish, and the slow movement is utterly glorious. There is greatness to be found in every bar of these two discs, and that goes not only for the music but the musician too.”

Bach, J S:
Chorale Prelude BWV659 'Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland'
(arr. Busoni)

Beethoven:
Piano Sonata No. 13 in E flat major, Op. 27 No. 1 'Quasi una fantasia'
Bagatelle, Op. 33 No. 4
encore

Haydn:
Andante & Variations in F minor, Hob.XVII:6 (Sonata - un piccolo divertimento)

Mozart:
Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat major, K271 "Jeunehomme"
Wiener Philharmoniker, Sir Charles Mackerras

Piano Sonata No. 15 in F major, K533/494

Schubert:
Piano Sonata No. 21 in B flat major, D960
Impromptu in G flat major, D899 No. 3
encore

Alfred Brendel (piano)