Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 | Herbert Blomstedt, Bamberger Symphoniker

There is often an occasion for great concerts, but there are rarely several good reasons for a concert recording of an outstanding musical event.

2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Austrian composer Anton Bruckner. For the Swedish conductor Herbert Blomstedt, Bruckner is a genius and the greatest symphonist since Beethoven. No composer is more closely associated with Herbert Blomstedt than Anton Bruckner. And no conductor has dealt with Anton Bruckner more intensively than Herbert Blomstedt. 

Probably the world’s longest-serving conductor, with an eventful career spanning seven decades, Herbert Blomstedt celebrated his 97th birthday on July 11, 2024. Closely associated with him for years: the Bamberg Symphony, which he has conducted in almost 200 concerts in Germany and over 20 concerts abroad. 

In honor of Anton Bruckner and Herbert Blomstedt, the Bamberg Symphony planned a special gift to their honorary conductor. On July 11, 2024, the day of his 97th birthday, Blomstedt conducted Bruckner’s 9th Symphony in the Basilica of St. Florian, a place to which Anton Bruckner held close ties throughout his life. The great symphonist began his musical career as a Florian choirboy and later continued there as organist of St. Florian. Anton Bruckner was repeatedly drawn back to the abbey, where he found his final resting place under the organ. 

Blomstedt on Bruckner: “All great music is difficult if you want to conduct it beautifully and honestly and with respect for the composer. Bruckner also requires calm, which many don’t have. He has a very broad vision. The best-known example is perhaps the Seventh Symphony (…). There are very long lines here, like the mountain ranges in St. Florian. Long lines, up and down, up to dramatic mountain chasms. With a horizon that tells you: there is something long and beautiful and great at the end of the world that will last forever.”

The 9th Symphony was to be Anton Bruckner’s last symphonic work.

ANTON BRUCKNER
SYMPHONY NO. 9

BAMBERGER SYMPHONIKER
HERBERT BLOMSTEDT, conductor