Wilhelm Kempff

Pianist

Birthday November 25, 1895

Birth Sign Sagittarius

Birthplace Germany

DEATH DATE May 23, 1991 (95)

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About

Became known for his interpretations and recordings of the complete sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert.

Before Fame

His first major recital was in 1917 and featured Hammerklavier Sonata by Beethoven and Variations on a Theme of Paganini by Johannes Brahms.

Trivia

He succeeded Max Pauer as director of the Stuttgart College of Music, a position he held from 1924 until 1929. He co-founded the summer courses at Marmorpalais Potsdam in 1931.

Family Life

His father worked as a royal music director and organist at St. Nicolai Church. His brother Georg was director of church music at the University of Erlangen.

Associated With

He had a wide-ranging repertoire that covered Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Liszt, Frederic Chopin, Brahms, and Robert Schumann.