Posted on 18 January 2018
The University of York confers the honorary degree of Doctor of the University honoris causa on individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society.
The recipients of 2018 honorary degrees, which will be awarded as part of the University's winter graduation ceremonies, are:
Credit: Jean-Baptiste Millot
Alfred Brendel is regarded as one of the greatest pianists. Known particularly for his performances of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, he's also a poet and author.
He was born in Wiesenberg, Czechoslovakia, and began piano lessons at the age of six. Mainly self-taught, he gave his first public recital at the age of seventeen, and ended his international career sixty years later by appearing with the Vienna Philharmonic that had awarded him honorary membership while the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra had bestowed him with the Hans von Bülow Medal.
As a writer of essays and poetry, his books have appeared in many languages including English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese and Korean.
Alfred’s belief in the primacy of the composer and his dedication to serving their intentions is an admirable inspiration to music students all over the world.