Beethoven's Tempest Sonata mvt. 3 -- Wilhelm Kempff

Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Opus 31 No. 2

Kempff was born (1895 in Jüterbog, Brandenburg, Germany) in a family of distinguished church musicians. His father was his first teacher. He entered the Hochschule für Musik Berlin at age nine (deeply impressing the directors with his playing, improvisation and compositions) did furthur study in Potsdam, and finished up in Berlin 1916 also studying philosopy and music history.


His first appearance as a soloist was with the Berlin Phil Orch in 1918, Beethovens G major piano concerto under Arthur Nikisch.....Scandinavian tours continued after the war, culminating in a award bestowed on him by King Gustav of Sweden.

He was music director of Musikhochschule Stuttgart 1924-1929, and married piano pupil Helene Freiin Hiller in 1926. In 1927 took his first trip to Turkey and met with president Atatürk offering advice on appointments to Ankara college of music.


Then taught at Potsdam 1931-1941 with Edwin Fischer and Walter Gieseking. Premiere of his second opera "family Gozzi" in 1934 to good notices. He composed many works for orchestra, piano, organ, chamber ensembles and songs.


In 1951 he published his autobiography, ""Unter dem Zimbelstern, das Werden eines Musikers"


His first London concert in 1951 launched his strong international career (tho his first of many trips to Japan took place in 1936)

His first visit to US was for concerts in New York City, 1964


1969 TV broadcast of Beethoven's Piano Concerto G major with Rafael Kubelik (someone post that!!)


UNESCO Concert (1974) in Paris with Yehudi Menuhin and Mstislav Rostropovitch.


1979 was his last concert with orchestra, Beethovens piano concerto G major with the Philharmonia Orchestra under Vladimir Ashkenazy.


1981 his second book came out "Was ich hörte, was ich sah".


23 May 1991, William Kempff died. He is buried in the private forest cemetery of the Baron von Künssberg at Upper Franconia.



recorded in Paris, 1968

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[Jake Abakulov]

I'm quite unsure how the speed of the piece renders it homosexual or fraudulent. But please, do elaborate. And if you could do it in your typical ineloquent and boorish fashion, it would be greatly appreciated.

[redman147]

He's playing it at the perfect speed according to the notations in the music. As it has been explained by someone else Allegretto is pretty quick and it takes immense skill. If you have issues, don't listen, go stick your thumb up your butt, learn how to listen to beautiful music, come back and pay homage to a great piano player and composer. Thank you kindly

[SuckerForRockers]

sooo true! haha even with his violin sonatas

[insideoutface]

Please, everyone stop giving the idiots the attention they crave and just enjoy the music.

[noroc88]

I am inlove with his interpertation- the clarity, light pedal but enough to add the emotional draw to it, the technique, the phrasing smooth and flows from one idea to the next just like waves on the shore - love it :-)

[mrbigshot90]

Your parents should have used some condoms on you!

[Brian Higgins]

This is Beethoven's Sonata formula... Mvt.1:good Mvt.2:decent Mvt.3:amazing

[Brian Higgins]

This song is probably the most intense song made for a single instrument...This or Bach's Toccata and Fugue.

[Brian Higgins]

This is the most intense song ever made for a single instrument...My opinion at least.

[marcello078]

Beethoven would be sooooo proud of him !!!!!!!!!!!!!