Philosophy & History

A stage full of history. A concert hall with outstanding acoustics. A repertoire of international format. Architecture which testifies to audacity and stylistic confidence. The Brucknerhaus is what music should be: an intense and haunting symphony, an emotional monument to passion.

Our Philosophy

„An experience of intoxiating beauty“

Artists who take their first chance here are already standing firmly on the career ladder. When top- class orchestras appear in Austria's largest concert hall outside Vienna, music becomes an „experience of intoxicating beauty“ – that was the feeling that Herbert von Karajan described after the inaugural concert with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra on 23^rd March 1974. The bold and timeless beauty of its architecture, combined with the oustanding acoustics of the concert halls, make the Brucknerhaus an inspiration for the coolest and most hard-headed of conductors. A landmark of international format in the heart of Linz. A home for music-making of the highest quality.

Tradition – Identity – Innovation – Internationality

The musical repertoire rests on four pillars: tradition, identity, innovation and internationality. Or to formulate it more precisely: the cultivation of Austrian music and national cultural traditions; the promotion of Austrian artists, contributing to a sense of identity; the presentation of innovative ideas and new, original interpretations; the opportunity to experience world-class international ensembles and to explore uncharted areas on the musical map. Despite being a relatively recent addition to the list of major concert venues, the Brucknerhaus with this concept already ranks among the most established and internationally recognized institutions for classical music.

Brucknerhaus Linz (night shot 2004) © Kutzler-Wimmer-Stöllinger

Our History

The Brucknerhaus Linz is a forward-looking piece of architecture, open, timelessly elegant and yet rooted in its own traditions and values. In 2024 this house, so widely known and such an integral part of our lives, celebrates its 50^th birthday, a milestone which prompts memories and conversations beginning: „Do you remember, in those days....“

1969: Foundation stone and time capsule

Linz, the culture metropolis – this idea goes back to the 1930s, though the Second World War was a serious obstacle to its development.

But after the end of the war a renewed attempt was made, and the foundation stone was laid on the 16^th May 1969 in the presence of the President, Franz Jonas (1899–1974). A time capsule containing contemporary objects was walled in, and is still there in a pillar of the Brucknerhaus.

From 1971: LIVA moves into the Brucknerhaus

The construction of the Brucknerhaus lasted from 1969 to 1973.

Test runs began in the fall of 1973, and the board and staff of LIVA (Linzer Veranstaltungsgesellschaft mbH), founded in 1971, moved in.

1974: Finished at last!

On the 23^rd March 1974 the house, designed as a symbol of modernity by the Finnish architects Kaija and Heikki Sirén, was finally opened.

Thus a widely visible symbol was set by the City of Linz which was positioned as forward-looking and open, and though bound to tradition, up for the challenge of presenting both international stars and young ambitious talent. (Photo copyright Burgi Eder Puchenau subject to a fee)

27 March 1974: Grand Opening Concert

The "drumbeat" came on the evening of March 23, 1974, when Herbert von Karajan and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performed Bruckner's 7^th Symphony. The gates of the long-awaited Brucknerhaus had finally opened!

Horst Stadlmayr, General Manager of LIVA from May 1970, picked up the conducting legend Karajan from the airport himself.

1978: Eela Craig – Missa Universalis

The legendary rock mass by the Linz Rock Group „Eela Craig“ had its acclaimed world premiere in the 1978 Bruckner Festival. Two sold out performances „rocked“ the Brucknerhaus.

The mass, which included musical motifs by Anton Bruckner and attracted music journalists from the USA to Linz, was a brilliant success.

Klangwolke 1979 - balloon of hearts © Peter

1979: The first Klangwolke rang out

The ORF intendant Dr.Hannes Leopoldseder, was looking for a popular connection between the newly founded Ars Electronica Festival and the international Bruckner Festival. The Linz Klangwolke was the answer.

Its first experiment in 1979 was Bruckner´s 8^th Symphony with the Concertgebouw Orchestra under Bernard Haitink, which rang out over the city and astonished an audience of 100,000.

Klangwolke 1980 - Blue Star Linz © Herzog

1980: The first Klangwolke with a live orchestra

The Bruckner Orchestra under Theodor Guschlbauer played Bruckner´s 4^th Symphony in the Brucknerhaus.

Since then more than 2 million people have experienced the Klangwolke in the Danube Park, and it has become a special trademark of Linz.

Brucknerhaus Linz & AEC © Andreas Röbl, Christian Wirth

1986 and 2012: separate and linked

In 1986, the Ars Electronica Festival was separated from the International Bruckner Festival, yet the cooperation between the two institutions remains united to this day through projects, not lastly in form of the visualized Klangwolke "DIE WOLKE IM NETZ" ("The Cloud in the Network"), which was created jointly in 2012.

The new Brucknerhaus organ © Rita Newman

2018: The building of the new organ

In 2018, the almost 45-year-old organ was completely renewed due to its condition, although the facade was preserved. The official consecration of the new organ took place on September 9, 2018, as part of the opening of the International Bruckner Festival Linz 2018. The musical consecration took place on September 10, 2018 by Iveta Apkalna.

Hard-Facts about the Brucknerhaus Linz

130 metre glass facade
1,120 m² glass
2,800 m² carpet
7 floors
3,600 m² area
88,000 m³ volume

Brucknerhaus & Danube Park © Rita Newman