The Austrian Cultural Forum London celebrates 200 years of Anton Bruckner with a special in-house event dedicated to the enduring legacy of this remarkable composer! We are delighted to welcome the international concert organist and pianist Stefan Donner, alongside esteemed professor, writer and literary scholar Rüdiger Görner for an evening of celebration and reflection on Anton Bruckner's bicentennial.
Experience a captivating piano recital with acclaimed musician Stefan Donner as he brings Bruckner's work to life through a specially curated program. A highlight of the evening will be Stefan showcasing two rare piano pieces by Anton Bruckner: "Stille Betrachtung an einem Herbstabend", dedicated to Emma Thanner and "Erinnerung". Complemented by works from Alban Berg, Melanie Spanswick, Barbara Heller and Wolfram Wagner, the programme promises an enchanting musical journey through a broad range of compositions spanning different centuries.
Following the concert, we invite you to join us for a discussion and book presentation featuring professor, writer and translator Rüdiger Görner. He will delve into his latest work "Bruckner - Der Anarch in der Musik" (Publishing date: 19.08.2024 - Zsolnay Publishing House; Bruckner - The Anarch in Music), which offers fresh insights into Anton Bruckner's overlooked compositions and his complex relationship with critics like Johannes Brahms. Görner skillfully intertwines Bruckner's life and work in a compelling narrative, revealing how the humble origins of this provincial anarch led to revolutionary contributions to modern music.
The evening will conclude with a round table discussion featuring Stefan Donner, Rüdiger Görner and our Director of the ACF Waltraud Dennhardt-Herzog, exploring Bruckner's enduring legacy. Audience participation is warmly encouraged!
Join us for a special evening highlighting the lasting importance of Anton Bruckner's impressive work.
Find more about the Anton Bruckner Anniversary Year 2024 by clicking here.
Anton Bruckner (1824–1896) emerged as a titan of classical music, renowned for his symphonies and sacred compositions. Despite initial struggles and critical indifference, his works became cornerstones of the classical repertoire. Bruckner's innovative harmonies and profound spirituality captivated audiences across Europe, earning him acclaim as both an organ virtuoso and a composer. However, plagued by personal setbacks and health issues, Bruckner's life was marked by perseverance and dedication to his craft until his passing in 1896.
Find more about Anton Bruckner here.
Rüdiger Görner, born in 1957 in Rottweil, is Emeritus Professor of Modern German Literature with Comparative Cultural History at Queen Mary University of London. From 2005 until 2023 he was the Founding Director of the Centre for Anglo-German Cultural Relations at QMUL. In his former capacity as Director of the Institute of Germanic Studies at the University of London he founded the Ingeborg Bachmann Centre for Austrian Literature. He is a regular contributor to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Neue Züricher Zeitung and Die Presse. His works on Austrian literature and culture, translated into several languages, include "Rainer Maria Rilke: In the Heart of Language" (2004), "Georg Trakl: Poet in the Decade of Extremes" (2014), and "Oskar Kokoschka: Artist of the Century" (2018), all published by Zsolnay (Vienna). His forthcoming book, "Bruckner - The Anarch in Music," is scheduled for publication on August 19, 2024, by Zsolnay Publishing. Among his numerous distinctions is the Reimar Lüst Lifetime Award of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
Stefan Donner studied organ, piano, and conducting at the Vienna University of Music after private lessons with Hermann Adler, earning two master's degrees in organ with distinction and a bachelor's degree in piano pedagogy. Further studies took him to Amsterdam and the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, where he studied organ and harpsichord. He has won several international organ competition prizes, including the 1st prize at the Franz Schmidt and International Daniel Herz Organ Competitions. His recent recordings include works by 20th-century Austrian composers. He has performed across Europe, Turkey, Israel, the USA, and Australia and taught masterclasses. He served as interim organist and director of church music at Klosterneuburg Abbey and currently teaches piano and works as a répétiteur at Meidling Music School. Since January 2022, he has also been teaching organ and piano at Franz Schmidt Music School Perchtoldsdorf. In 2019, he debuted at the Vienna Musikverein with the RSO Orchestra performing Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony.
