Composer orchestrates bruckner's appeal

For conductor Lyu Jia, the music of Austrian composer Anton Bruckner is more than just a series of symphonic works — it is a journey into the depths of human emotion and spiritual grandeur.

As the music director of the China NCPA Orchestra, Lyu has been exploring Bruckner's monumental symphonies over the years, which have become a defining chapter in his artistic career. Under his baton, the orchestra has embarked on a pioneering mission to record the composer's complete symphonies, culminating in the release of Bruckner Symphonies Nos 1 to 9, marking a major milestone in the orchestra's history.

This release, which spans the composer's symphonic masterworks, is the first of its kind — a Chinese symphony orchestra led by one conductor in the complete recording of Bruckner's symphonies. It was announced on Dec 22 last year, when the National Centre for the Performing Arts celebrated its 17th birthday.

"It is not only a musical achievement but a symbolic gesture of China's growing stature on the global classical music stage," says Ren Xiaolong, the general manager of the China NCPA Orchestra. The release is in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of Bruckner's birth in 2024, a momentous occasion that underscores the universal relevance of his music — now enriched with a distinctive Chinese perspective.

"The completion of Bruckner's nine symphonies represents a monumental achievement for the China NCPA Orchestra. Since its birth nearly 15 years ago, this project has served as a significant milestone in the orchestra's artistic evolution," Ren says. "For the orchestra, it is both a celebration of its collective growth and an artistic challenge that has pushed its abilities to new heights."