Wilhelm Backhaus

Wilhelm Backhaus – Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3, Piano Concerto No. 4 (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 01:07:41 minutes | 649 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Universal Music Australia Pty. Ltd.

Wilhelm Backhaus, born in Leipzig in 1884, was still studying with Eugen d’Albert inFrankfurt. After his successful debut in London in 1900, Wilhelm Backhaus – supported by conductors such as Nikisch, Richter and Muck – made a career in Europe. He gave more than 4,000 concerts over the course of his life. From 1908 he recorded records, most of them on C. Bechstein. Backhaus debuted in the USA in 1912. In 1929, Wilhelm Backhaus played all 32 Beethoven sonatas in Vienna and Paris for the first time, for the interpretation of which he became famous. Backhaus died in Carinthia in 1969.

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Wilhelm Backhaus – Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3, Piano Concerto No. 4 (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 01:07:41 minutes | 648 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover

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Wilhelm Backhaus – Schumann: Piano Concerto (1960/2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 44:09 minutes | 424 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Decca Music Group Ltd.

In cooperation with the International Mozarteum Foundation belvedere is publishing highlights of the Mozart Week from first beginnings until today. Contemporary history and the history of interpretation become audible on carefully restored sound documents in excellent sound quality. Moreover, the edition will also comprise current recordings from the Mozart Week and concerts throughout the season, using the most up-to-date recording and production techniques. The Mozart Week has taken place annually in Salzburg since 1956. Renowned artists have made their mark on this festival since its beginnings and created a distinct impact as regards interpretation, artistic analysis and musical performance. Concerts of the Mozart Week have been recorded on radio and television since the inauguration of the festival. The treasures in the archives of these concert recordings are now being reissued. The album “Wilhelm Backhaus plays Mozart” contains a recording of the pianist’s recital from 1956, the 200th anniversary of Mozart’s birth and also the year when the Mozart Week was founded, and recordings from the recital in 1967. It offers an interesting opportunity to compare Backhaus’s interpretations and the implicit relationships Mozart’s compositions. Wolfgang Schaufler writes: “We have to bear in mind that Backhaus worked closely with Hans Richter who conducted the first performances of some works by Brahms.”

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Wilhelm Backhaus – Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27; Piano Sonata No. 11 (Remastered) (1960/2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 43:40 minutes | 423 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Decca Music Group Ltd.

There is a real partnership with Bohm and the orchestra and, again, qualities of line and control which have to be described as masterly. In some of the slow movement Backhaus sounds perfunctory. In the finale, however, he plays with abundant personality and authority. There, and perhaps especially in the first movement, you notice that he is not averse to modulating the movement’s basic tempo from time to time, always with purpose. There is a little decoration, done with conviction, but none in the places where you might most expect it. In sum, a far from bland interpretation of the Concerto, which I’m glad the gramophone has preserved.

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Wilhelm Backhaus – Brahms Recital / Mendelssohn (1957/2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 56:44 minutes | 518 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Decca Music Group Ltd.

Backhaus began his training at the Leipzig Conservatory at the age of ten under Alois Reckendorf. He then had some lessons for around a year with Eugen d’Albert in Frankfurt, but after this received no more formal training. Although he had played in public since he was eight, he made his professional debut in 1900, following it with a tour. He had, by this time, a large repertoire of more than 300 pieces and at least twelve concertos. At his London debut he played Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor Op. 25 and Brahms’s Variations on a theme by Paganini Op. 35. A year after this he substituted at short notice for Alexander Siloti at one of the Hallé concerts in Manchester, and three years later took up a post as professor of piano at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. In the same year Backhaus won the prestigious Anton Rubinstein Prize in Paris, adding a further boost to an already burgeoning career as a pianist that continued until a few days before his death.

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Wilhelm Backhaus – Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 08:17:35 minutes | 9,80 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Decca Music Group Ltd.

Backhaus was one of the great exponents of the Classical and Romantic repertory and his performances had an integrity that eschewed any unnecessary display and flamboyance; his concern was to give the most direct interpretation of what the composer wishes and the structure and architecture of his chosen repertory was paramount. Backhaus recorded extensively for Decca throughout the 1950s and 1960s and recorded works by Beethoven, Brahms, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Mozart, and Schumann. His complete cycle of Beethoven Sonatas occupied him throughout the 1950s and 1960s and is regarded by many as his greatest achievement, and the cycle is justly recognized as one of the great recorded cycles. It has not been available on CD for some years now and is reissued in response to repeated requests to make it available again.

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Wilhelm Backhaus – Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 30, 31 & 32 (Remastered) (1991/2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 55:38 minutes | 1,14 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Decca Music Group Ltd.

Wilhelm Backhaus, born 1884 in Leipzig, studied with Eugen d’Albert in Frankfurt. After his successful 1900 debut in London, Wilhelm Backhaus – promoted by such conductors as Muck, Nikisch and Richter – made a career in Europe. In the course of his life he gave more than 4,000 concets. As of 1908 he taped records, most of which were on C. Bechstein. In 1912, Backhaus debuted in the USA. In 1929 Wilhelm Backhaus played in Paris and Vienna for the first time all 32 Beethoven Sonatas, for whose interpretation he became famous. Backhaus died 1969 in Kärnten. “With joy Wilhelm Backhaus admits to being an enthusiastic fan of the wonderful Bechstein grand piano”, the pianist wrote in September 1925.

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Wilhelm Backhaus – Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 15 “Pastorale”, 16, 17 “Tempest” & 18 (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:19:14 minutes | 1,59 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Decca Music Group Ltd.

Wilhelm Backhaus, born 1884 in Leipzig, studied with Eugen d’Albert in Frankfurt. After his successful 1900 debut in London, Wilhelm Backhaus – promoted by such conductors as Muck, Nikisch and Richter – made a career in Europe. In the course of his life he gave more than 4,000 concets. As of 1908 he taped records, most of which were on C. Bechstein. In 1912, Backhaus debuted in the USA. In 1929 Wilhelm Backhaus played in Paris and Vienna for the first time all 32 Beethoven Sonatas, for whose interpretation he became famous. Backhaus died 1969 in Kärnten. “With joy Wilhelm Backhaus admits to being an enthusiastic fan of the wonderful Bechstein grand piano”, the pianist wrote in September 1925.

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Wilhelm Backhaus – Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8 “Pathetique”, 9 & 10 (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:22:10 minutes | 1,63 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Decca Music Group Ltd.

Wilhelm Backhaus, born 1884 in Leipzig, studied with Eugen d’Albert in Frankfurt. After his successful 1900 debut in London, Wilhelm Backhaus – promoted by such conductors as Muck, Nikisch and Richter – made a career in Europe. In the course of his life he gave more than 4,000 concets. As of 1908 he taped records, most of which were on C. Bechstein. In 1912, Backhaus debuted in the USA. In 1929 Wilhelm Backhaus played in Paris and Vienna for the first time all 32 Beethoven Sonatas, for whose interpretation he became famous. Backhaus died 1969 in Kärnten. “With joy Wilhelm Backhaus admits to being an enthusiastic fan of the wonderful Bechstein grand piano”, the pianist wrote in September 1925.

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Wilhelm Backhaus – Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4 (Remastered) (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:17:17 minutes | 1,66 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Decca Music Group Ltd.

Wilhelm Backhaus, born 1884 in Leipzig, studied with Eugen d’Albert in Frankfurt. After his successful 1900 debut in London, Wilhelm Backhaus – promoted by such conductors as Muck, Nikisch and Richter – made a career in Europe. In the course of his life he gave more than 4,000 concerts. As of 1908 he taped records, most of which were on C. Bechstein. In 1912, Backhaus debuted in the USA. In 1929 Wilhelm Backhaus played in Paris and Vienna for the first time all 32 Beethoven Sonatas, for whose interpretation he became famous. Backhaus died 1969 in Kärnten. “With joy Wilhelm Backhaus admits to being an enthusiastic fan of the wonderful Bechstein grand piano”, the pianist wrote in September 1925.

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Wilhelm Backhaus – Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 (Remastered) (1959/2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 59:22 minutes | 603 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Decca Music Group Ltd.

Wilhelm Backhaus, born 1884 in Leipzig, studied with Eugen d’Albert in Frankfurt. After his successful 1900 debut in London, Wilhelm Backhaus – promoted by such conductors as Muck, Nikisch and Richter – made a career in Europe. In the course of his life he gave more than 4,000 concets. As of 1908 he taped records, most of which were on C. Bechstein. In 1912, Backhaus debuted in the USA. In 1929 Wilhelm Backhaus played in Paris and Vienna for the first time all 32 Beethoven Sonatas, for whose interpretation he became famous. Backhaus died 1969 in Kärnten. “With joy Wilhelm Backhaus admits to being an enthusiastic fan of the wonderful Bechstein grand piano”, the pianist wrote in September 1925.

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Wilhelm Backhaus – Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor” (Remastered) (1960/2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 37:27 minutes | 381 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Decca Music Group Ltd.

Wilhelm Backhaus, born 1884 in Leipzig, studied with Eugen d’Albert in Frankfurt. After his successful 1900 debut in London, Wilhelm Backhaus – promoted by such conductors as Muck, Nikisch and Richter – made a career in Europe. In the course of his life he gave more than 4,000 concets. As of 1908 he taped records, most of which were on C. Bechstein. In 1912, Backhaus debuted in the USA. In 1929 Wilhelm Backhaus played in Paris and Vienna for the first time all 32 Beethoven Sonatas, for whose interpretation he became famous. Backhaus died 1969 in Kärnten. “With joy Wilhelm Backhaus admits to being an enthusiastic fan of the wonderful Bechstein grand piano”, the pianist wrote in September 1925.

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Wilhelm Backhaus – Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 11, 12, 13 & 14 “Moonlight” (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:09:44 minutes | 1,49 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Decca Music Group Ltd.

Wilhelm Backhaus, born 1884 in Leipzig, studied with Eugen d’Albert in Frankfurt. After his successful 1900 debut in London, Wilhelm Backhaus – promoted by such conductors as Muck, Nikisch and Richter – made a career in Europe. In the course of his life he gave more than 4,000 concets. As of 1908 he taped records, most of which were on C. Bechstein. In 1912, Backhaus debuted in the USA. In 1929 Wilhelm Backhaus played in Paris and Vienna for the first time all 32 Beethoven Sonatas, for whose interpretation he became famous. Backhaus died 1969 in Kärnten. “With joy Wilhelm Backhaus admits to being an enthusiastic fan of the wonderful Bechstein grand piano”, the pianist wrote in September 1925.

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Wilhelm Backhaus – Bach Recital (Remastered) (1957/2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 44:50 minutes | 433 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Decca Music Group Ltd.

Wilhelm Backhaus, born 1884 in Leipzig, studied with Eugen d’Albert in Frankfurt. After his successful 1900 debut in London, Wilhelm Backhaus – promoted by such conductors as Muck, Nikisch and Richter – made a career in Europe. In the course of his life he gave more than 4,000 concets. As of 1908 he taped records, most of which were on C. Bechstein. In 1912, Backhaus debuted in the USA. In 1929 Wilhelm Backhaus played in Paris and Vienna for the first time all 32 Beethoven Sonatas, for whose interpretation he became famous. Backhaus died 1969 in Kärnten. “With joy Wilhelm Backhaus admits to being an enthusiastic fan of the wonderful Bechstein grand piano”, the pianist wrote in September 1925.

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Wilhelm Backhaus – Brahms, Stravinsky & Berlioz: Orchestral Works (Live) (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 01:31:17 minutes | 816 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Archipel

Wilhelm Backhaus (* 26. März 1884 in Leipzig; † 5. Juli 1969 in Villach, Österreich) war ein deutscher Pianist. Er gilt als einer der bedeutendsten Pianisten des 20. Jahrhunderts.

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