Me of All People: Alfred Brendel in Conversation with Martin Meyer.Me of All People: Alfred Brendel Alfred Brendel (born January 5, 1931) is an Austrian pianist, born in Czechoslovakia. He is known as one of the most distinguished classical pianists of the second half of the 20th century. in Conversation with Martin Meyer, by Alfred Brendel and Martin Meyer; translated by Richard Stokes Sir Richard Rapier Stokes (27 january 1897–3 august 1957) was a British Labour Party politician who served briefly as Lord Privy Seal in 1951. Stokes was educated at Downside School, the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and Trinity College, Cambridge. . Cornell University Cornell University, mainly at Ithaca, N.Y.; with land-grant, state, and private support; coeducational; chartered 1865, opened 1868. It was named for Ezra Cornell, who donated $500,000 and a tract of land. With the help of state senator Andrew D. Press (Sage House, 512 E. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850), 2002. 275 pp. $29.95. Among great pianists Great Pianists of the 20th Century - Géza Anda is volume one of the Great Pianists of the 20th Century box set, and it features music by the composers Béla Bartók, Frédéric Chopin, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Featured Composers Béla Bartók Piano Concerto No. of the twentieth century, Alfred Brendel is truly unique. He was not a child prodigy Noun 1. child prodigy - a prodigy whose talents are recognized at an early age; "Mozart was a child prodigy" infant prodigy, wonder child child, kid, minor, nipper, tiddler, youngster, tike, shaver, small fry, nestling, fry, tyke - a young person of either , lacked excellent sight-reading skills and ceased formal piano study at age 16--not ordinarily a recipe for success in today's competitive musical climate. Nevertheless, this unassuming pianist now is recognized as one of the world's foremost artists. In Me of All People readers get glimpses into the remarkable life of Brendel, the development of his career and his travels and his experiences as a young man in Vienna. Also highlighted are Brendel's views of the freedoms and obligations of a performer, the work of musicians who have fascinated him and his endeavors as poet and essayist. There are five chapters, all in dialogue format between Brendel and Martin Meyer. Meyer is literary editor of Neue Zureher Zeitung and author of several books on Ernst Junger and Thomas Mann. His grasp of aesthetics and skill as an interviewer help readers fathom the multiple facets of Brendel's personality. The result is an engaging portrait of this gifted pianist as a deep thinker, passionate skeptic and emotional musician with a charming sense of humor Noun 1. sense of humor - the trait of appreciating (and being able to express) the humorous; "she didn't appreciate my humor"; "you can't survive in the army without a sense of humor" sense of humour, humor, humour . The book seems best suited for musicians, especially pianists familiar with the standard keyboard and symphonic repertoire of Central Europe. Those with a flare for literature also might find Brendel's reflections on his own writing mad works by other intellectuals who have helped shape his aesthetic outlook quite engaging. My only regret is the absence of appendices detailing Brendel's discography dis·cog·ra·phy n. Examination of the intervertebral disk space using x-rays after injection of contrast media into the disk. and published writings. Their inclusion would have enhanced the narrative. Today, it is harder than ever for aspiring performers to sustain successful careers. For them, Me of All People offers much timely insight. Brendel, now in his 70s, shares a lifetime of wisdom on such topics as the importance of virtuosity, the changing tastes of audiences, the relevance of critical reviews and the challenges of recording. As a bonus, alert readers can glean valuable lessons about life. Reviewed by Richard Bobo, Centerville, Ohio. |
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