We are in the news - The first of two articles
Here is a rough translation: Anton Bruckner fans from around the world in search of clues in Upper Austria By Gabriele Eder They come from America, England, Canada, Holland, Norway, India, Hong Kong and Vietnam. They are a mathematician and housewives, lawyers, teachers, librarians, doctors and pensioners. Then collect these 30 people, most of whom have never seen each other in Ansfelden near Linz and stand together, awesome amazement before a nondescript, old house. "Tomorrow we go to Kronstorf" says John Berky, the "head" of the troops. "And of course, to St. Florian, Enns and Hörsching." Since 2012 Berky offers this trip to Upper Austria, the "Bruckner-Tour". Participants from around the world are all lovers of Ansfelden composer Anton Bruckner. Zealously passionate about his work, they follow in his footsteps on the Enns, starting at the birthplace in Ansfelden, towards all the places visited, inhabited or has even entered the "musician of God" in his life (1824-96). Berky operates the website www.abruckner.com and is Executive Secretary of the "Bruckner Society of America". The retired manager of a classical music radio station and manager of a small cultural center in Connecticut, USA, has been infected as a student "with the Bruckner-Virus". In the university library he heard a recording of Bruckner's "Fourth", conducted by Eugen Jochum: "I was thunderstruck. From there I could not get enough of this music. " The young John started reading everything he could get on Bruckner. he bought records and started to collect. He was youthful expert, and the music professor asked him to teach the class, when it was time to study Bruckner, "because you know a lot more than I do." And his fellow travelers from around the world feel the same way. Everyone has their own story, how he discovered Bruckner, everyone has their own passion. Some collect all the recordings of his symphonies, the others study his sacred music, still others want the experience of placing themselves at his work places. "This year we have two couples who celebrate their anniversaries on the trip." One wants to renew his vows in the crypt in St. Florian not far from Bruckner sarcophagus. "Yes, perhaps we are all a little crazy," admits Berky winking, "but we are completely harmless." "Fanatical" but all. As the group last year discovered a rare CD at the birth house museum, which was lacking in the "world's biggest Bruckner Archives", they did everything they could to get a copy of it. About winding paths they came to the chairman of the Linz Bruckner Choir, Richard Architektonidis who copied the CD for Berky. At this year's tour so it could be for Berky to personally thank Architektonidis - who surprised him in return with "Bruckner medallions" made of chocolate ... Photos: Eder; Berky |
