Klaus Mäkelä

Our artistic partner, Klaus Mäkelä, will of course be on hand for the Concertgebouw Orchestra’s Bruckner cycle. In the field of Bruckner’s symphonies, the orchestra has built up an enviable reputation. And that makes the combination of conductor Klaus Mäkelä, a work by Bruckner, and the Concertgebouw Orchestra a not-to-be-missed opportunity, not least for the conductor himself. ‘Bruckner’s music has always been very dear to me. And the Fifth Symphony in particular; it is in my opinion the greatest achievement as far as the symphonic form goes.’

Bruckner’s Symphony No. 5

Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony is packed with restrained tension that only finds release in the closing movement. The music repeatedly refers to Mozart’s Requiem, and that strengthens the work’s stately mood. Bruckner himself never heard a performance of this work, but today, you can experience it first-hand. Klaus Mäkelä: ‘It’s the best mindfulness, because you don’t have to think or worry about anything, you sit down, and Bruckner takes care of you. Slow music does not mean you have to work – Bruckner comes to you too. Bruckner comes to you. You don’t need to be intellectual to understand the music.’