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
Richard Wagner: Paragon

Christian-Ludwig-Attersee Saal, 7 pm

FESTIVE OPENING
8th Gustav Mahler Festival

Composing hut by the lake, 4 pm

 CHURCH CONCERT
a-capella and Organ Works

Anton Bruckner: Virga Jesse, Locus iste, Christus factus est , Os justi

Gustav Mahler: Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen, Urlicht

Arnold Schönberg: Variations on a Recitative, op. 40 (Organ Solo), Friede auf Erden

Stadtpfarrkirche Bad Ischl,  7 pm

PRESENTATION
Mahler & Bruckner: Two Life Paths

Christian-Ludwig-Attersee-Saal, 10 am

SONGS AND CHAMBER MUSIC

Mahler, Bruckner and Other Contemporaries

Gustav Mahler Saal, 7 pm

EXPERIENCING NATURE

Bruckner in the Meadow

Meeting point at the Steinbach Parish Church, 10 am

SPECIAL EVENT OF THE TOWN OF STEINBACH AM ATTERSEE  

SALZKAMMERGUT EUROPEAN CULTURAL CAPITAL 2024

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2

F. Gulda: Cello Concerto "A Declaration of Love to Salzkammergut"

Philharmonie Salzburg

Conductor: Elisabeth Fuchs

Cello: Emilian Schmid

Soprano: Ursula Langmayr

Alto: Christa Ratzenböck

Chorus of the Philharmonie Salzburg

Musikhalle Seefeld,  7 pm

MATINEE CONCERT

Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 3

in the transcription for piano 4 hands by Gustav Mahler

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