, and was only able to hear distorted tones.

In his latter years, he still travelled to give lectures and readings and held masterclasses for young musicians.

A man whose determinedly narrow musical repertoire allowed him to seek perfection at the piano, Alfred Brendel's written work displayed a mind of much wider-ranging intellect.

Inside the evening jacket of the disciplined concert artist lay an irreverent commentator on the absurdity of the world, who saw laughter as the distinguishing feature of humanity.