Tim Horton spoke to the BBC World Service’s Newshour following news of the death of fellow pianist Alfred Brendel, whose musicianship and mentorship had a profound effect on his own career.
In conversation with presenter Tim Franks, Tim spoke of Brendel’s “completely unique musical voice”, going on to say that “you can tell within seconds that it’s Alfred Brendel playing when you hear a recording.” He described Brendel’s insistence on finding the right character in a phrase, both in his own performance and in that of the next generation of pianists, remembering a man who was at once fiercely intelligent and deeply funny.
Tim’s early career success came in part as the result of an invitation from Brendel to give two performances of Schoenberg’s Piano Concerto with the City of Birmingham Symphony orchestra and Sir Simon Rattle at Symphony Hall, Birmingham and at the Royal Festival Hall, London in 1995. Following these performances, Tim was asked to give concerts with the RLPO, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, paving the way for his esteemed career as a soloist and chamber musician.
The interview is available to hear on the BBC until 16th July, and may be found by following this link, in the segment beginning at 45:02.
Alfred-Brendel Photo courtesy Decca Classics