At 91 was he still active on four continents, Paul Badura-Skoda was one of the last representatives of a generation for which music is the quintessence of European culture. Music reflects in each of the great composers the life and living style of his epoch, its striving for wisdom, sense, harmony, beauty, fulfilment in love as well as its search for the divine. When Paul Badura-Skoda played Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Chopin, Ravel or Frank Martin, he succeeded in breathing into his performances the innate spirit of their works. What sets him apart from many other performing artists was his capacity to play not only the notes but also what happens between the notes, thus welding them into a poetic language, making them "speak." His concerts thus became a special experience for his listeners — an event. Like his teacher Edwin Fischer, he created a special, personal sound with many different tone colours. In his hands, his instrument (be it a modern grand or a period piano) sang like a human voice or take on the fullness of an orchestra.
The music world lost a true grandseigneur with the passing of Paul Badura-Skoda on September 25th 2019, but his artistic legacy endures.

The farewell ceremony for the deceased artist - featuring a performance of Anton Bruckner's E minor Mass - took place on October 5th 2019, at the Piarist Church in Vienna. >>

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