Wilhelm Kempff German pianist and composer Date of Birth: 25.11.1895 Country: Germany

1. Biography of Wilhelm Kempff
2. International Concerts
3. Legacy and Recordings
4. Chamber Music Collaborations
5. Personal Life and Legacy

Biography of Wilhelm Kempff

Wilhelm Kempff, a German pianist and composer, spent his entire life performing concerts all over the world. Born in the outskirts of Berlin, he came from a musical family. His father was the director of royal music and the organist at St. Nicholas Church. His grandfather was also an organist, and his brother, Georg, became the director of sacred music at Erlangen University.

International Concerts

Throughout his career, Wilhelm Kempff toured extensively, performing in various parts of the world. From 1936 to 1979, he visited Japan ten times, and in his honor, a small Japanese island was named Kempu-San. He gave his final concert in Paris in 1981.

Legacy and Recordings

Wilhelm Kempff diligently recorded music for over sixty years. His recordings, featuring the works of Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, Schubert, Mozart, Bach, Liszt, and Chopin, have retained their significance to this day. He was the first to complete a full recording of Franz Schubert's sonatas, contributing to their popularity. Kempff also re-recorded Beethoven's sonatas in 1964-1965 to incorporate stereo technology. He did the same with his recordings of Beethoven's concerts, collaborating with Ferdinand Leitner for stereo effects.

Chamber Music Collaborations

Wilhelm Kempff frequently performed chamber music alongside renowned musicians such as Yehudi Menuhin, Pierre Fournier, Wolfgang Schneiderhan, and Paul Grumiaux. He was regarded as an exemplary musician for his sense of rhythm. Anecdotes mention that during his visit to Finland, composer Jean Sibelius requested Kempff to play Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata from the 29th Sonata. After Kempff finished, Sibelius remarked, "No, you did not play it as a pianist, you played it... as a human being."

Personal Life and Legacy

Wilhelm Kempff had five children and passed away in Positano, Italy at the age of 95. His contributions to the world of classical music, through his performances and recordings, continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.