Overview

• Brendel died on June 17, 2025 at age 94 in the London home he had occupied since 1970.
• After debuting in 1949, he spent five decades building a career distinguished by masterful interpretations and became the first pianist to record Beethoven’s complete solo piano works.
• He retired from public performance in December 2008, capping his stage career with a farewell tour that underscored his commitment to musical integrity.
• In his second career, Brendel published several volumes of quirky, often grotesque poetry and essays that combined musical insight with playful humor.
• Following his retirement he suffered a severe hearing loss that impaired his ability to perceive music, prompting him to devote his later years to writing and lecturing.