EIF 26: Paul Lewis - Tribute to Alfred Brendel

Pianist Paul Lewis pays tribute to his teacher and mentor, Alfred Brendel, in a recital of classical and early Romantic works.

Alfred Brendel was a much-loved performer at the Edinburgh International Festival for 40 years. His former student, Paul Lewis, reflects Brendel’s influence through his ‘unshowy, deeply considered interpretations,’ (The Times). Now a leading pianist of his generation, Lewis has described Brendel as an ‘endless source of inspiration’.  

Brendel had a particular affinity with Mozart, whom he termed ‘one of the most sensuous composers ever’ (The New Yorker). Fittingly, Lewis includes two Mozart sonatas in his programme. K333 is full of songlike charm and high spirits, while K570 anticipates the composer’s great final opera The Magic Flute in its mixture of wit and profundity.

Lewis has also chosen Carl Maria von Weber’s sunny and expansive Sonata in A flat – which Brendel essentially rediscovered – and three miniature masterpieces by Frédéric Chopin – his heartfelt Nocturnes and impassioned Polonaise. 

Presented by Edinburgh International Festival