Day Six

Today, we visited the towns of Enns, Kronstorf and Steyr - all of which were linked to Bruckner's early years. In Enns, we visited the house where Leopold Zenetti, one of his mentors lived and the parish church where Zenetti taught Bruckner about performing on the organ.

In Kronsdorf, we visited the small museum devoted to Bruckner and his time in Kronsdorf as a teacher. His room is preserved as is the violin that he sold to pay off some debts.

After Steyr, we returned to St. Florian where we received a tour of the monastery including their Bruckner museum which contains the furnishing from his Vienna Belvedere apartment and a visit to the crypt where Bruckner's sarcophagus has been placed directly under the Bruckner organ.

This was a particularly interesting visit. While we were in the room with Bruckner's sarcophagus, the Altomonte Orchestra was rehearsing the Bruckner Ninth Symphony directly above us. Hearing the opening movement of the Symphony No. 9 in that setting was almost otherworldly.

In the evening, tour participants listened to the Ninth Symphony arranged for two-pianos. This performance included the premiere performance of the Finale in an arrangement for piano-four-hands by William Carragan.

The Bruckner plaque in Enns

The Bruckner plaque in Kronsdorf

The house where Bruckner lived why in Kronsdorf

Bruckner's violin

Bruckner stature in Steyr

Plaque at the Bruckner Stairs in Steyr

The Bruckner Stairs

Town Square in Steyr

Our tour begins at St. Florian

Ceiling detail

A bed intended for Prinz Eugen (!!)

Bruckner's furnishings from his Vienna apartment

Bruckner's bed (upon which he died)

Plate below the sacophagus - Why 1897??

Plate on the sarcophacus. Why is his name spelled Brukner??

Remy Ballot rehearses the Altomonte Orchestra in the basilika