Though he was a composer as well, Kempff is best remembered as a pianist of spontaneity and fantasy—as he plays, you truly believe everything is happening in the moment. Through a troubled century, Kempff championed the Austro-German tradition from Mozart to Schumann and Brahms, with Beethoven at the center. He recorded the complete Beethoven piano sonatas and concertos twice, each time creating a classic version. His recording of Liszt's First Legend is one of the greatest piano recordings ever made. A wonderful chamber musician, he worked with Menuhin, Fournier, Schneiderhan, and Szeryng.