LINZ. On Sunday, July 4th, 11 am, the Brucknerhaus will make up for the “clock concert” originally planned for New Year’s Eve – as a summer matinee. Tips spoke to the general manager and Liva board director Dietmar Kerschbaum, who will be on stage himself, about the concert and the serenades in the summer.
Tips: On July 4th, the time has finally come for the ‘clock concert’ to be rescheduled after it unfortunately could not take place on New Year’s Eve and also on Carnival. The concert is bursting with highlights – from the program to the performers. How important was it to you that this concert can still take place despite having been postponed several times?
Kerschbaum: A lot of work and organizational effort go into every concert. I am therefore sorry for every single event that we had to cancel due to the corona pandemic. But since most of the artists involved in the ‘clock concert’ are at home in Linz or in the surrounding area, it was relatively easy to find an alternative date. Fortunately, Albrecht Mayer, who is not only solo oboist with the Berlin Philharmonic, but also a busy soloist in international demand, will also be free on July 4th. I am very happy that we can celebrate the end of the season with this ‘clock concert’, which we have converted into a summer matinee.
Tips:They too will be on stage – an unfortunately rare event now …
Kerschbaum: I see myself primarily as a director. That is my job at the Brucknerhaus, which I do with great passion. I definitely don’t want to use this position to push myself into the limelight as a singer. But every now and then, when it fits, I like to step in front of the audience, simply because I really enjoy singing and acting.
Tips:With an entrance fee of only 5 euros, the concert is also very low-threshold.
Kerschbaum: That was a very conscious decision. Art should be affordable for everyone. I stand by that, but also by the City of Linz and Mayor Klaus Luger. We’re pulling together.
Tips:With the serenades in the open air in the Landhaus-Arkadenhof, there is also a top-class program for all tastes in the summer months – from the Egger Trio to Fritz Karl to Little Night Music. How important is it to you to attract audiences apart from classical music lovers?
Kerschbaum: The Brucknerhaus is open to everyone not only during the summer serenades, but also in other areas. In association with the other cultural centers of Liva, i.e. Posthof and Kuddelmuddel, there is something for everyone. The Brucknerhaus stands for classical music, jazz, world music as well as for events that combine music with literature. Dance, cabaret, literature and those types of music that primarily appeal to a young audience are at home in the Posthof. In the Kuddelmuddel we turn to the youngest visitors, but also in the Brucknerhaus, where we launched the new ‘Young Brucknerhaus’ line, we enthusiastically take care of the children and young people. Every audience is welcome to me.
Tips:The serenades start in July – most of the corona restrictions should fall from then on. Certainly a boon?
Kerschbaum: Yes, as of July 1st, there will in all likelihood be no more restrictions in terms of seating capacity. But what still applies is the 3-G rule. So you have to be vaccinated, tested or recovered in order to be able to attend the serenades in the arcade courtyard of the Linz country house. I am very happy that the serenades can take place again. They have been around for 66 years, which alone speaks for their great popularity.
Tips:Then one can only hope that the weather will play along for the serenades….
Kerschbaum: Yes, this is especially true this year, because, unlike in previous years, this time we have no alternative accommodation in bad weather. On mild summer nights, however, nothing stands in the way of an unforgettable romantic experience!
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