Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) and Anton Bruckner (1824-1896) were two very different people whose paths in life crossed several times. One became world famous as a conductor and opera director, the other was celebrated as a genius in his homeland. Both had their difficulties in asserting themselves as composers during their lifetime.

As a student at the Vienna Conservatory, the young Gustav Mahler met the revered master. Though he never took composition lessons from him, we know from various sources that the two were friendly. This bond became apparent when Bruckner asked Mahler to prepare the piano version of his Third Symphony; this score, published in 1880, was the first publication to bear Mahler's name. In later years, Mahler made several appearances as a conductor with Bruckner's works. In a letter from 1892, Mahler writes enthusiastically to his “dear friend” about his triumphant performance of the “magnificent and mighty Te Deum”.

How, then, do we explain Mahler's description of Bruckner's Fourth Symphony as "shreds of music and the worst absurdity [...] interrupted, admittedly, by often divine 'ideas' and themes"?! He expressed similar sentiments regarding Bruckner's Ninth. The rejection is all the more puzzling when clear resemblances to Bruckner can be heard in Mahler's own works.

In 2024 we are celebrating the 200th birthday of the Upper Austrian with a festival of concerts and presentations dedicated to these personalities, their compositions and the paradox of an ambivalent relationship.

PRE-PROGRAM

Floating Art Salon

Introduction to the program of this year's Gustav Mahler Festival Steinbach as part of a two-hour boat tour on the southern boat route of Lake Attersee with a welcome aperitif and a Klimt coffee break and light refreshment on board.

Host: Kom.Rat. Mag. Doris Cuturi-Stern

Discussion: Elisabeth Schweeger, Elisabeth Fuchs, Morten Solvik and others

Boat dock at Steinbach am Attersee, 2 pm 

Richard Wagner: Paragon

Richard Wagner was the dominant musical personality of the second half of the 19^th century, also for Anton Bruckner and Gustav Mahler. We explore the impact of this paragon on both composers through letters, pictures, and musical examples.

Christian-Ludwig-Attersee Saal, 7 pm

Festive Opening

Festive Opening of the 8th Gustav Mahler Festival Steinbach and the annual special exhibition in the composing hut with moderation, greetings from the guests of honor, musical accompaniment  and aperitiv.

Composing hut by the lake, 4 pm

PRESENTATION
Mahler & Bruckner: Two Life Paths

Gustav Mahler and Anton Bruckner met numerous times after Mahler started his studies at the Vienna Conservatory. The presentation sheds light on this complex relationship characterized by both admiration and bewilderment with anecdotes, quotations, and historical details.

With Benjamin Korstvedt.

Christian-Ludwig-Attersee-Saal, 10 am

SONGS AND CHAMBER MUSIC

Bruckner and the Vienna Conservatory

with works by Anton Bruckner, Gustav Mahler, Hans Rott, 

Mathilde Kralik von Meyrswalden, Hugo Wolf and Rudolf Krzyzanowski

Soloistinnen des 1. Frauen-Kammerorchesters von Österreich

Students of the Anton Bruckner Private University, Linz

Hotel Föttinger, 7 pm

EXPERIENCING NATURE

Bruckner in the Meadow

Meeting point at the Steinbach Parish Church, 10 am

MATINEE CONCERT

Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 3

in the transcription for piano 4 hands by Gustav Mahler

Piano Duo Dino Sequi & Gerhard Hofer

Gustav Mahler Saal, 11 am

Das Gustav Mahler Festival in Steinbach am Attersee ist eine mehrtägige Feier rund um den Geburtstag des Komponisten am 7. Juli.

Jedes Jahr werden musikalische Kleinode sowie kulturelle und historische Einblicke in die Gegend um diesen historischen Ort präsentiert. 

Das Programm bietet für alle Beteiligten bewusst genügend Zeit,  sich auszutauschen und die einzigartige Naturkulisse zu genießen, um Mahlers Inspiration in all ihren Facetten feiern zu können.

1893-1896

Fertigstellung 2. Symphonie

3. Symphonie

Lieder