Wit and Wisdom of Alfred Brendel

Posted at 6:13 AM on October 12, 2008 by Gillian Martin

Pianist Alfred Brendel doesn't just play piano--he's a painter, too, and an excellent writer. As one critic wrote of his books, "He writes so well that it seems almost unfair in someone who plays as he does."

Besides books on music, he's also fond of writing irreverent poetry. His two published collections are called One Finger Too Many and Cursing Bagels. Read a sample of his poetry here--an ironic comment on concert hall behavior.

I'm sure we can count on more such poetry when Brendel retires from giving public performances this December.