Alfred Brendel, a pianist and poet renowned for his refined playing of Beethoven over a six-decade career, died Tuesday at ...

Born in what is now the Czech Republic, Brendel gave his first recital in Graz, Austria, in 1948 at age 17. His final concert was with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein on Dec. 18, 2008.

FILE - Austrian musician Alfred Brendel, recipient of the Classical Music Award for 'Retirement Concerts," appears at the South Bank Awards in London on Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, File ...

FILE - Austrian musician Alfred Brendel, recipient of the Classical Music Award for 'Retirement Concerts," appears at the South Bank Awards in London on Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, File ...