Music
Acoustics that send even well-traveled world stars into rapture have become a trademark of the Brucknerhaus since its inauguration in 1974. Cultivating classical music, contemporary art, jazz, rock and pop concerts, musicals, opera and operetta: all of this is part of the normal course of the vibrant, high-quality concert life in Linz.
A Concert House as an Urban Landmark
“Thank you for the hall” – the Russian star conductor Valery Gergiev wrote in the guest book of the Brucknerhaus after a celebrated concert. His enthusiasm is shared by internationally and nationally renowned artists from classical music, contemporary music and jazz who have given guest performances in the concert house on the Danube designed by the Finnish architects Kaija and Heikki Siren. Highlights in September: the Linzer Klangwolke (Linz Cloud of Sound), the Ars Electronica Festival (in cooperation with the Ars Electronica Center) and the internationa Bruckner Festival.
Orchestral Size
The Bruckner Orchestra Linz, opera orchestra of the ew Linz Music Theatre and philharmonic orchestra of the Federal Province of Upper Austria, is at the top of the list of audience favourites in Upper Austria. The 110 musicians, currently under the direction of chief conductor Dennis Russel Davies, have acquired an excellent reputation both at home and abroad. The Bruckner Orchestra Linz presents a wide-ranging repertoire of works from Viennese classics to modern music, including many Austrian and world premieres.
Pop and Rock of Every Size
One of the largest venues for contemporary culture in Europe, the Posthof, is located at the harbour of Linz. The event centre is a leader in current contemporary culture, presenting dance, cabaret, theatre and literature as well as contemporary music. Whether rock, pop, jazz, reggae, techno or hip hop: at the Posthof, local bands and internationally acclaimed musicians provide the right mix.
Anton Bruckner
His contemporaries mocked at the “giant head on two legs” - regardless of the fact that the man so ridiculed had already celebrated triumphs before thousands of listeners in London and Paris as a gifted organ virtuoso. And although Anton Bruckner was undoubtedly of a compact and small stature, the big influence of this great symphonic composer (1824-1896) is still evident today (not only) in his home region of Upper Austria, reaching far beyond the active interest in and lively performance practice of his compositional work. In Linz, the Brucknerhaus and the Bruckner Orchestra are named after him, but also one of the four universities in Linz bears the name of the most important Upper Austrian composer.
Actively promoting young talent
Over 850 students attend the Anton Bruckner Private University. The leading vocational institution is one of five Austrian universities for music, drama and dance. A new building for the private university on Pöstlingberg is currently being built and well be opened in autom 2015. With over 4,000 students and 120 teachers, the Linz Music School is one of the largest music schools in Austria. In addition to classical instruments such as piano or violin, pan flutes and overtone singing are also part of the extensive curriculum.
Wind music in the best tradition
They bring the best Austrian wind music tradition to life in the most beautiful places in Linz: the City Magistrate Brass Band. The brass ensemble with a vibrant sound has not only been a permanent feature of the cultural life of Linz since 1926, it is also on the road in Upper Austria and beyond, acting as a musical ambassador. In 2011, the multi-talented brass music formation, under the direction of Wilhelm Luckeneder, celebrated its 85th anniversary.
… more than music
Since 2001, the postal code of Linz is used to make music. Every two years, the “Festival 4020. More than Music” presents contemporary young composers, musicians and ensembles in various locations in Linz under a different theme. The range of music styles and sounds crosses all borders: reaching from ethnic music to music from regions all over the world, from church music of the Gothic era to avantgarde electronics or improvised.
Venues in Linz with an Emphasis on Music
- Brucknerhaus (German only) The Brucknerhaus on the Danube – since 1974 one of the cultural and architectural landmarks of Linz.
- Bruckner Orchestra The Bruckner Orchestra Linz has become one of the leading bodies of music over the past three decades. It demonstrates its diversity as an opera orchestra at the Linz State Theatre and at numerous concerts in Austria and abroad.
- Anton Bruckner Private University Around 850 students from all over the world attend the Anton Bruckner Private University. It is one of five universities in Austria for music, drama and dance and one of four universities in Linz.
- Linz - Cloud of Sound Two million listeners already have attended the Linzer Klangwolke (Linz Cloud of Sound) in the Danube Park, which has become a hallmark of the city.
- Music School of the City of Linz With over 4,000 pupils and about 120 teachers, the Linz Music School is Austria's largest music school.
- Music Theater (German only) The Music Theater at Volksgarten, designed by the architect Terry Pawson, was opened in April 2013.
- Posthof (German only) The Posthof is both a meeting point for international stars and a platform for the presentation of up-and-coming local talents. The event centre presents around 250 music, dance, theatre, cabaret and literature events every year.