The ultimate demand made on a genious is love of truth.

As we commemorate Rudolf Kempe we pay tribute to an artist who as a musician and human being radiated the finest of qualities gracing the greatest of talents - truthfulness.

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Patron of the Rudolf Kempe Society 1978 to 2012
Rudolf Kempe

No conductor sought fame less and found it more readily.

Edward Greenfield Music Critic

Rudolf Kempe was a musician of the utmost integrity. Totally and consistently at the service of the music he was interpreting. His qualities are rare indeed, and his relatively early death was tragic.

Robert Ponsonby BBC Controller of Music