September 4, 2024 will mark the 200th birthday of the most famous composer in Upper Austria, Anton Bruckner – and the Bruckner year planned in his honor is gradually gaining momentum.
The state of Upper Austria, the city of Linz and institutions from culture, church, business and tourism have now made a personnel decision at an initial meeting: Norbert Trawöger, the artistic director of the Bruckner Orchestra, will artistically curate the Bruckner year 2024. The task of the 50-year-old from Welser will be to coordinate and plan the program away from the major institutions such as the Landestheater, Bruckner Orchester or Brucknerhaus. Because the Bruckner year 2024 should “invite Upper Austrians to deal with this exceptional musician from a wide variety of perspectives,” says Governor Thomas Stelzer (VP). He invites all institutions related to Bruckner to take part in the anniversary year.
Anton Bruckner (1824–1896) was born in Ansfelden and lived in St. Florian, Linz and Vienna, among others. He became famous with his symphonies and church music. They influence composers to this day and are performed worldwide.
However, there are still no concrete ideas about the content of the program. “It is clear to everyone that we have to hurry,” says Trawöger. However, he points out that the major institutions in the country have already done a lot of preparatory work. “Just because it has been quiet so far does not mean that nothing has been done.” Now it is a matter of developing a common brand and a program. New projects are also being considered: “There will soon be invitations for ideas.” A schedule for the next activities will be developed in the coming weeks. The state’s cultural department takes on the organizational tasks.
Trawöger’s goal for the anniversary year is “to understand Bruckner in a new way. We want to free him from the incense fuss and expose his music”. The Mahr ?? about the “Catholic musician of God” is not even half the story: “Even during his lifetime, Bruckner was caught between tradition, innovation and the avant-garde,” says Trawöger. “That goes well with Upper Austria.” This diversity should also reflect the Bruckner year 2024. “We want to see him as the secular patron of Upper Austria.”
Project ideas for the Bruckner year 2024 can be sent by email at bruckner2024@ooe.gv.at be submitted.
Source: Nachrichten
