Bruckner’s Seventh symphony

Bruckner’s symphonies always have an unmistakably spiritual connotation. The Seventh especially sounds like a state of religious rapture. The music unveils a grandiose play of light and darkness, from stately ecstasy to devilish outbursts. Here, Bruckner shows that he doesn’t always express himself in massive blocks of sound but can also compose with chamber-music-like clarity. This work had a special place in the composer’s heart because it finally brought him widespread recognition after years of being slammed by the critics.

Myung-whun Chung has been one of the Concertgebouw Orchestra’s favourite guest conductors for forty years. And although he is considered one of the world’s top Bruckner conductors, he has only conducted a Bruckner symphony with the Concertgebouw Orchestra once before, the Sixth, in 2008. So, it’s high time he has a chance to wield his baton in the massive Seventh Symphony. Because, as conductor asks, ‘How can one not be uplifted by this glorious music?’