An evening with the great maestro pianist: 'Can absolute music, without the assistance of words, movement, or the stage be funny? Some philosophers and even musicians have denied this. In this lecture I try to demonstrate that humour, wit and irony are indeed crucial elements of certain works of great music, particularly by Haydn and Beethoven, and that proof can be found in the compositions themselves.'
Alfred Brendel lectures and plays the Hereford Steinway.
Alfred Brendel will be in conversation with the BBC R3 broadcaster Nicola Heywood Thomas at the Hay Festival on Saturday 4 June.
