One of the leading pianists of modern times, Alfred Brendel gives once-in-a-lifetime access to the cameras, revealing a fascinating and intimate portrait of the man and the musician. This 2-DVD set includes a 50-minute recital of Mozart, Haydn and Schubert, filmed at Snape Maltings Concert Hall in July 2000, and an illuminating 70-minute documentary that chronicles his childhood and early influences, and in which he speaks about his views and ideas.

Features

Haydn Piano Sonata in E flat major, Hob. XVI/49
Mozart Piano Sonata in C minor, K.457
Schubert Impromptu No. 3 in G flat, D. 899

Reviews

‘…an exceptional DVD’
Répertoire (Translation)

‘…masterly performances…’
The Gramophone

‘…the content is top drawer… the presentation is excellent too…’
What DVD

‘…a wonderfully warm and detailed picture of the great pianist… a superlative production throughout… Brendel in Portrait is an exemplary DVD...’
Billboard, USA

‘This is an excellent production, sober and thoughtful, just like the cover shot of Alfred Brendel looking pensively skywards…The documentary is exactly what it says: a portrait, affectionate, respectful, not critical but revealing. I’m no intimate but I’m sure it conveys the essence of what makes Brendel tick: his deep intellectual, aesthetic and psychological curiosity and honesty, inscrutable products.’
International Record Review