A passion that lasts

Data on the biography of Wilhelm Kempff (PDF, in German)

Chronicle of the recordings (PDF, in German)

Inventory of Wilhelm Kempff's compositions (PDF, in German)

 
  25 November 1895 to 23 May 1991

He was a pianist of the century who never saw himself as a star. And a humorous, generous, unpretentious person. His piano playing was as profound as it was natural, his interpretations shone from within. His singular art is documented in many recordings, which stands out from the often vain to radical subjectivism of his colleagues. For this very reason, Kempff became an exemplary interpreter of Beethoven's and Schubert's works, free from fashion. His attitude, his artistic credo also made him the ideal pedagogue, open to everything and everyone.

to the Beethoven masterclass

A contemporary witness remembers

Annette von Bodecker, long-time assistant and companion, reports in twelve chapters on her collaboration with Wilhelm Kempff, the history of Casa Orfeo and their life together.
2:00
The nature of Wilhelm Kempff (in German)
2:14
From composer to performer (in German)
3:37
How did the connection to Positano come about? (in German)
2:28
What was the beginning of his apprenticeship like? (in German)
4:05
What did a typical day in Positano look like? (in German)
1:28
What was his credo? (in German)
3:26
Political (in German)
1:43
How did Wilhelm Kempff deal with his professional ban? (in German)
2:51
The difference between home ("Heimat") and home ("Zuhause") (in German)
2:41
Has Kempff changed over the course of time? (in German)
2:01
Beethoven's message (in German)
1:25
The last concert (in German)

Interpretations of timeless validity

If you have any questions about the music of Wilhelm Kempff, please contact the Wilhelm Kempff Music Archive.

Wilhelm Kempff music archive:

Akademie der Künste
Musikarchiv
Dr. Werner Grünzweig
Robert-Koch-Platz 10, 10115 Berlin

030 20 05 73 00 0
musikarchiv@adk.de