September, 2024: Antonia Brico conducts Bruckner's Symphony No. 7

Antonia Brico (1902-1987) was a pioneering woman conductor. She was the first woman to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic and spent much of her career fighting prejudices regarding a woman's role on the concert stage. She was also an honorary member of the Bruckner Society of America. When the Bruckner Archive became aware of some Bruckner performances by Antonia Brico, it set out to acquire and preserve them. Thanks to the help of the Denver Philharmonic (once the Denver Businessmen's Orchestra) a 1957 performance of the Symphony No. 7 was obtained. When an LP recording from St Olaf College containing two movements of a 1977 performance was obtained, the Archive set out to locate the original concert master tapes and paid to have them restored and digitally transferred. The full performance (in stereo) has now been preserved. It is this 1977 performance that is presented here. For more information on Antonia Brico and this acquisition project, click here.