THE BRUCKNERHAUS ORGAN

Anton Bruckner was not only a significant composer, but also a talented organist. He was once celebrated both at home and abroad for his organ improvisations. As a young man, he had trained as a teacher and organist, and later played the organ regularly in various churches in Linz and the surrounding area. His playing was renowned for its technical finesse and his ability to fill the room with powerful waves of sound. Bruckner was a great admirer of Bach’s music, and his organ works – particularly his chorale preludes – clearly reveal the influence of this great master. Bruckner’s devotion to organ music endured throughout his life, and many of his compositions for orchestra and choir are shaped by the sonic world of the organ.

A particular highlight of the Brucknerhaus Linz is the organ in the Great Hall, newly built in 2018 with 3,727 pipes. The room’s acoustics are controlled by the wooden panelling, which is at least 6 cm thick, and the varying structure of the wood, which directs the sound. In addition, hanging baffles ensure an even distribution of the sound. A reverberation time of 1.7 seconds makes the concert hall an acoustic highlight.

Attend a concert from the following series to experience the sound of the organ at the Brucknerhaus Linz:

• Orgelrecitals
• Orgelmusik zur Teatime

Family tour – Focus on the organ                

Once a month, the Brucknerhaus invites families to take a tour of the building. On each occasion, music educator Teresa Leonhard highlights a different aspect, ranging from the concert hall’s impressive architecture and the technical features required for concert performances to the largest musical instrument housed in the Brucknerhaus: the organ. Caroline Atschreiter and Martin Riccabona assist with the ‘Focus on the Organ’ sessions, not only explaining the mechanics of the instrument but also giving short recitals. On two dates, an interpreter in Austrian Sign Language (ÖGS) will also accompany the tours.

Focus: Organ

Free admission for children under 3 years of age

Children (up to 18 years old): € 5.00

Adults: € 7.00

Organ tours for children and young people

For nursery school children, primary school pupils and secondary school pupils, there is a guided tour of the organ tailored specifically to each age group, during which the young visitors learn what the organ sounds like, how many pipes it has and how the sounds are actually produced in this enormous instrument. All this is explored together in an interactive way with organist Caroline Atschreiter or organist Martin Riccabona. What’s more, anyone who’d like to can even have a go at playing the organ themselves!

Dates available on request at education@liva.linz.at 

CONSTRUCTION OF THE BRUCKNERHAUS ORGAN

The old organ, which was inaugurated when the Brucknerhaus opened in 1974, had long since become unsuitable for concert use. It was tuned too high, which meant it could not be used in orchestral concerts. Added to this were structural and accessibility issues, which made the care and maintenance of the organ difficult. A thorough inspection also revealed that the structural integrity of the old organ was in a very poor state. For all these reasons, the original plan for a complete refurbishment was abandoned in favour of a new build, although the original façade will be retained.