Blomstedt celebrates his 97th birthday at parties in the Upper Austria monastery – ooe.ORF.at

The Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, which he had known for a long time, would travel with Bruckner's interpreter. Upper Austria has been playing for 50 years. Abbey concerts in the Baroque state halls and magnificent churches of the monasteries of Upper Austria. Recently, new venues have also been incorporated, such as the Feigenhaus in Kremsmünster, the Theaterstadel in Wilhering or the Stiftskeller St. Park. Florian, thus also attracting new audiences. After several concerts, there will be an opportunity for the audience and artists to talk to each other under the title “Notturno.” Before other concerts, introductory discussions with the artists are given under the title “AnSTIFTungen”. “We rely on what is tried and tested and are open to new things,” summed up director Rico Gulda.

The 19 group concerts, which will be held between June 8 and July 28, 2024, will include soloists and bands who have been associated with the festival for many years, in addition to new artists; For example, the Polish tenor Jakub Józef Orlinski, the English quartet Belcea or the Riga-born cellist Misha Maiski. Italian conductor Giuseppe Mongoli is also coming to the monastery concerts for the first time. The 30-year-old has won the 2023 Mahler Competition, one of the world's most famous conducting competitions. On the platform of the Bruckner Philharmonic Linz he conducted the two opening concerts in St. Florian.

Conductor Markus Büchner conducts BOL in Bruckner's Symphony No. 8, version 1890, in St. Florian's Basilica. Regular guests at this summer festival include Rudolf Buchbinder (piano), Michael Schade (tenor), Emanuel Tjeknavorian (violin), the San Francisco Vocal Ensemble and the Venice Baroque Orchestra conducted by Andrea Marcone, and also the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra.

This article accompanies the program “From 2 to Free”, Radio Upper Austria, 8 March 2024