Triumphal Return

For 40 years, German Pianist Wiihelm Backhaus has been known as one of the world's musical giants. When he made his U.S. debut in 1912, his soulful mien and his remarkable performances created high excitement. But in the 'aos he decided "to give America a rest." Last week, just turned 70, he made a triumphal return for a single recital in Manhattan's jampacked Carnegie Hall, his first in 28 years.

Pianist Backhaus, square-jawed and bulky, played five sonatas by Beethoven with the virility and technique of a man half his age. He began with the tried & true Pathetique, swirled through the Tempest, rippled through Les Adieux, produced a playful Opus 79 and summed everything up with a lofty performance of Opus III. "One of the greatest evenings ... of Beethoven's piano music [in a quarter century]," raved the New York Times's Olin Downes. "Mr. Backhaus was young with Beethoven."

Backhaus' reason for staying away from the U.S. so long: a vague "things political." He is now a Swiss citizen (he left his native Germany in 1931), and although he played in Germany during the war, bears no taint of Naziism. But he had private doubts: "I did not want to come here and run the risk of getting a reception some other Germans had. Why should I run the risk?"

Wilhelm Backhaus was delighted with his success, but he was not sure about coming back for an extended tour. "I am too old. After all, one must face the fact." On the other hand, he has just completed a heavily booked tour of Europe. Reminded of this, he admitted: "At the piano I feel young enough."

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