„With joy Wilhelm Backhaus admits to being an enthusiastic fan of the magnificent Bechstein grand pianos.“

– September 1925

Wilhelm Backhaus, born 1884 in Leipzig, studied with Eugen d'Albert in Frankfurt. After his successful debut in London in 1900, Wilhelm Backhaus – supported by conductors such as Nikisch, Richter and Muck – made a career in Europe. In the course of his life he gave more than 4,000 concerts. From 1908 he began to make records, most of them on C. Bechstein. In 1912 Backhaus made his debut in the USA. In 1929 Wilhelm Backhaus played all 32 Beethoven Sonatas for the first time in Vienna and Paris, for whose interpretation he became famous. Backhaus died in Carinthia in 1969.

Photos: © C. Bechstein Archiv / Willott Foto- und Bildererichte