Remembering Honorary Fellow Alfred Brendel, 1931-2025

It is with great sadness that we mark the recent death of Honorary Fellow Alfred Brendel, who died on 17 June 2025, aged 94. Brendel was a renowned classical pianist, poet, author, composer, and lecturer, based in London. He was widely regarded as the ‘musicians’ musician.

Brendel was born in the modern-day Czech Republic in 1931. His musical debut occurred in Graz in 1947, and he went on to have a much-garlanded career that spanned six decades. During this time, he focussed on performances of the works of Mozart, Haydn, and Schubert, but with an especial focus on Beethoven.

Alfred Brendel’s connection with Exeter College dates from the early 1970s, when he gave a recital for the Exeter College Music Society. He was elected as an Honorary Fellow in 1987, proposed by the then Fellow in Physics Joseph Hutton, supported by the then Lecturer in Music, John Warrack. Brendel’s contributions to the College focussed on fund-raising for the current organ; he gave a benefice concert in the Sheldonian in 1992, which raised £30,000. He continued to visit the College in subsequent years and will be missed.

Alfred Brendel pictured in 2010. Image courtesy of Jiyang Chen