photo : Paragon
Music lovers will know that the old masters of Austria include such notable names as Haydn, Schubert and that maestro of the Magic Flute, Mozart. But much loved in Linz was Anton Bruckner, whose music is celebrated every September with a fantastic free show for all to see – the Linzer Klangwolke.
Anton Bruckner – Austrian Composer
Born in the 1800s, Anton Bruckner was the son of an Austrian teacher who went on to become a musician of some repute – but not always for his music making.
Although Bruckner was an organist of impressive abilities and renowned composer of symphonies, masses and motets, he was also known as something of a Lothario (a man who unscrupulously seduces women!)
Bruckner was a life-long batchelor and serial proposer of marriage to young girls until well after his 70th birthday. His interest in girls was nothing to do with amorous attraction, but the belief that they were the only way he could be sure any bride he took would be a virgin. What any would-be well-aged lothario should know, is that that the young beauties all blackballed Bruckner!
Brucknerhaus and the Brucknerfest
Despite his saucy Spanish tendencies, the people of Linz are proud of their sand-grown son. So much so, that for many years they worked and lobbied hard to have a special Concert Hall built and named after him – the Brucknerhaus. It has 3 music halls and presents a varied programme throughout the year. For more information about events at the Brucknerhaus, see the website here.
Every year at the beginning of September, the Brucknerhaus hosts a series of concerts in celebration of the city’s favourite son – the Brucknerfest. And to make the event even more magical, the Brucknerhaus teams up with neighbouring Ars Electronica, to provide a feast of art and music free of charge for the public to enjoy in the park on the banks of the great Danube river running through the city.
Linzer Klangwolke
Since 1979 an open air event has been staged in the Donau Park, an area reclaimed in 1954 following severe flooding from the river Danube. In more recent times, light and visual effects have been provided to extend the enjoyment and making this an annual extravaganza for all the senses.
The concerts take place at dusk on the first 2 weekends in September and feature both modern and classical music. There’s even a special daytime concert for children. To give you an idea of the scale and scope of this super sensory experience, take a look at the video below:
It may be too late to leg it to Linz for this year’s Brucknerfest, but it’s never to soon to plan to be there next year!
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