was a world-renowned German virtuoso pianist and composer. Although his repertory included Bach, Liszt, Chopin, Schumann, and Brahms, Kempff was particularly well-known for his interpretations of the music of Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert, both of whose complete sonatas he recorded at least once.
Kempff still performed at the age of 80 with his friend Leonard Bernstein in New York City. The friendship between the two has developed after the Second World War. Bernstein praised the German: "He is one of the most interesting personalities I ever met in my life."
After 1945 Kempff lived in Ammerland near Munich. His adopted home became the Italian town Positano near Naples, where he suffered a stroke. Kempff was a pianist with an unmistakable, unique touch. His interpretations of piano works of the classic and romantic styles were always stamped with a highly personal style. With the pianist Cortot, also Kempff played at the opening of a great art exhibition of his friend Arno Breker in the Orangerie in Paris in 1942 in front of an international audience. Kempff is immortalized in a magnificent bronze bust by Breker.
Wilhelm Kempff lost his wife. He is survived by five children. His youngest daughter Diana, a writer, still lives in Ammerland
Besides his activity as a pianist, the versatile artist also composed music. He wrote symphonies, operas, piano concertos and chamber music, which, however, have been performed only on rare occasions. Autobiographical writings complement his life work.
In Wilhelm Kempff died one of the most significant pianists of this century, who put his stamp on whole generations of artists. Up to his last days Kempff showed a lively interest in the current developments in music around the world.
Kempff still performed at the age of 80 with his friend Leonard Bernstein in New York City. The friendship between the two has developed after the Second World War. Bernstein praised the German: "He is one of the most interesting personalities I ever met in my life."
After 1945 Kempff lived in Ammerland near Munich. His adopted home became the Italian town Positano near Naples, where he suffered a stroke. Kempff was a pianist with an unmistakable, unique touch. His interpretations of piano works of the classic and romantic styles were always stamped with a highly personal style. With the pianist Cortot, also Kempff played at the opening of a great art exhibition of his friend Arno Breker in the Orangerie in Paris in 1942 in front of an international audience. Kempff is immortalized in a magnificent bronze bust by Breker.
Wilhelm Kempff lost his wife. He is survived by five children. His youngest daughter Diana, a writer, still lives in Ammerland
Besides his activity as a pianist, the versatile artist also composed music. He wrote symphonies, operas, piano concertos and chamber music, which, however, have been performed only on rare occasions. Autobiographical writings complement his life work.
In Wilhelm Kempff died one of the most significant pianists of this century, who put his stamp on whole generations of artists. Up to his last days Kempff showed a lively interest in the current developments in music around the world.
was a world-renowned German virtuoso pianist and composer. Although his repertory included Bach, Liszt, Chopin, Schumann, and Brahms, Kempff was particularly well-known for his interpretations of the music of Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert, both of whose complete sonatas he recorded at least once.
Kempff still performed at the age of 80 with his friend Leonard Bernstein in New York City. The friendship between the two has developed after the Second World War. Bernstein praised the German: "He is one of the most interesting personalities I ever met in my life."
After 1945 Kempff lived in Ammerland near Munich. His adopted home became the Italian town Positano near Naples, where he suffered a stroke. Kempff was a pianist with an unmistakable, unique touch. His interpretations of piano works of the classic and romantic styles were always stamped with a highly personal style. With the pianist Cortot, also Kempff played at the opening of a great art exhibition of his friend Arno Breker in the Orangerie in Paris in 1942 in front of an international audience. Kempff is immortalized in a magnificent bronze bust by Breker.
Wilhelm Kempff lost his wife. He is survived by five children. His youngest daughter Diana, a writer, still lives in Ammerland
Besides his activity as a pianist, the versatile artist also composed music. He wrote symphonies, operas, piano concertos and chamber music, which, however, have been performed only on rare occasions. Autobiographical writings complement his life work.
In Wilhelm Kempff died one of the most significant pianists of this century, who put his stamp on whole generations of artists. Up to his last days Kempff showed a lively interest in the current developments in music around the world.
Kempff still performed at the age of 80 with his friend Leonard Bernstein in New York City. The friendship between the two has developed after the Second World War. Bernstein praised the German: "He is one of the most interesting personalities I ever met in my life."
After 1945 Kempff lived in Ammerland near Munich. His adopted home became the Italian town Positano near Naples, where he suffered a stroke. Kempff was a pianist with an unmistakable, unique touch. His interpretations of piano works of the classic and romantic styles were always stamped with a highly personal style. With the pianist Cortot, also Kempff played at the opening of a great art exhibition of his friend Arno Breker in the Orangerie in Paris in 1942 in front of an international audience. Kempff is immortalized in a magnificent bronze bust by Breker.
Wilhelm Kempff lost his wife. He is survived by five children. His youngest daughter Diana, a writer, still lives in Ammerland
Besides his activity as a pianist, the versatile artist also composed music. He wrote symphonies, operas, piano concertos and chamber music, which, however, have been performed only on rare occasions. Autobiographical writings complement his life work.
In Wilhelm Kempff died one of the most significant pianists of this century, who put his stamp on whole generations of artists. Up to his last days Kempff showed a lively interest in the current developments in music around the world.
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