“The Magic Symphony”: Bruckner as a Children's Book – ooe.ORF.at

In close cooperation with the cultural mediation team Anton Bruckner 2024, Carlsen Verlag has created its own PIXI book, which can be read in all kindergarten groups in Upper Austria on September 4.

The story of Sophia and David, who met Anton Bruckner in person in “The Magic Symphony”, comes from Christian Bartelsen, and the illustrations are by Sandra Kissling. It is suitable for children aged three to six and everyone above. “From the very beginning, it was very important for us to have different communication formats in order to bring Anton Bruckner closer to everyone.

In addition to the workshops we hold in primary schools, we have created educational materials for teachers. There are many offers for adults and it was important to us to also reach the kindergarten age group. “And we thought, what could be more beautiful than the PIXI book, which is very popular in German-speaking countries,” explains Eva Malfint, project organizer at the State Directorate for Culture.

Anton Bruckner in the composing room

The story revolves around David and Sophia, who are allowed to accompany her to an orchestral rehearsal of Bruckner's Fourth Symphony. The children hear the music and suddenly the music inspires them as if the stars begin to twinkle. Then they take off from their seats and fly away.

And suddenly they find themselves in Anton Bruckner's composing room 200 years ago and they see how Anton Bruckner works on this symphony and how he tries to find a good beginning. The horns play a big role in this. So you learn something about the composer and about the musical instruments.

For kindergartens and public libraries

In addition to all kindergarten groups in Upper Austria, this booklet is also supplied to public libraries and bookstores. Bruckner's book can be purchased at selected locations, including the Florianer Stiftsladen in St. Florian Abbey, the Linz Castle Museum, the Anton Bruckner Museum in Ansfelden, the Sumerauerhof and the museums in the city of Linz.

This article accompanies the programme “OÖ today”, ORF2, 26 August 2024.