50 years of the Brucknerhaus

Symphony full of beauty as an impulse for the future

The Vienna Philharmonic with the maestro(Bild: reinhard winkler)

Zubin Mehta and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra were showered with endless standing ovations after the last chord of the Bruckner Symphony - a unique evening and sensational conclusion to the big anniversary at the Brucknerhaus in Linz.

The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra had played Bruckner's Seventh Symphony at the opening of the Brucknerhaus 50 years ago. At the time, Herbert von Karajan raved about the "perfect acoustics" of the building and the "intoxicating beauty" of this music.

This time too, the "Viennese" played with rich, soft brass and the noblest string sounds. The concertmaster worked hard in terms of volume and physical gestures to keep the musicians together.

Herbert von Karajan in Linz in 1974(Bild: Archiv der Stadt Linz)

The "Viennese" know Bruckner well
But it must also be said that the frail maestro Zubin Mehta, who will be 88 at the end of April, was more of a co-conductor than a designer. Piano passages were usually too loud. Some flubs could not be ignored. The Bruckner Orchestra Linz had been much more exciting the day before.

It really got to the heart
But: the work was able to unfold its beauty despite marginal compromises. It is the symphony with which Bruckner had his first great success and in which he dedicated the most heartfelt prayer motifs to his "beloved, immortal master", as he called Richard Wagner, after his death.

It was not only this that touched the heart, but also the world-class sound of the Philharmoniker! Standing ovations! May the Brucknerhaus and we be granted many more musical gifts.