Collection: JÖRG DEMUS: HIS MUSICAL HERITAGE SOCIETY RECORDINGS

Jörg Demus (1928–2019) was an Austrian pianist, composer, and academic, celebrated for his interpretations of classical and Romantic repertoire. Born on December 2, 1928, in St. Pölten, Austria, Demus grew up in a musically inclined family; his father, Otto Demus, was an art historian, and his mother, Luise, was a concert violinist. He began piano lessons at the age of six and entered the Vienna Academy of Music at eleven, studying piano, composition, and conducting. He graduated in 1945 and continued his studies with renowned musicians such as Yves Nat, Wilhelm Kempff, and Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli.

Demus made his debut at the Brahms-Saal of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna at the age of fifteen, performing Bach’s Das Wohltemperierte Klavier. His career flourished internationally, and he became known for his solo performances as well as collaborations with prominent artists like Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, and Josef Suk. He was also instrumental in reviving the fortepiano, bringing historical instruments to modern concert stages.

In addition to his performances, Demus was a prolific recording artist, producing acclaimed interpretations of works by Schumann, Bach, and Beethoven. He co-authored a book on Beethoven’s piano sonatas with Paul Badura-Skoda, another celebrated Austrian pianist.

Demus received numerous accolades, including the Mozart Medal, the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, and membership in the Legion of Honour. He passed away on April 16, 2019, in Vienna, leaving behind a legacy as one of Austria’s most distinguished pianists and a champion of classical music.