Open air in Linz

“We don’t just want to revolve around Anton Bruckner”

Folkshilfe guitarist Paul Slaviczek and Bruckner Orchestra director Markus Poschner discussing the joint concert(Bild: Rathenböck)

There is another highlight among the many events to mark Anton Bruckner's 200th birthday: the Bruckner Orchestra Linz and its chief conductor Markus Poschner are playing an open-air concert together with the Austro-pop band "folkshilfe" - with free admission. 

"We want to open up, because otherwise this year we only circle around Bruckner," says chief conductor Markus Poschner about an unusual musical meeting that will take place on Thursday, July 4, on Linz's main square: The Bruckner Orchestra Linz will be performing together with the Austro-pop band "folkshilfe".

The trio from Upper Austria with Paul Slaviczek, Florian Ritt and Gabriel Fröhlich is currently one of the most sought-after acts. The open air with the Bruckner Orchestra is a prelude to their unplugged tour, which starts in August and brings folkshilfe to the Brucknerhaus twice in October.

Hits for goosebump moments
But first the open air, which is dedicated to Anton Bruckner: "That's why we wanted partners who have grown out of Upper Austrian culture - just like Bruckner," says Poschner. For guitarist Paul Slaviczek, this "meeting of pop and classical music is a dream come true. We have been chosen - it's amazing! We're playing hits and new things, and I got goosebumps the first time I listened to it."

The main square is tried and tested for open airs(Bild: BOL Open Air)

Modern orchestral sound for the birthday
The hits, including newcomer "Owa vom Gas", have to be arranged for orchestra. This was done by composer Johannes Berauer, who also arranged Ina Regen's Symphonic Pop, as we reported. Another guest at the open air "Happy Birthday, Anton Bruckner" is cello virtuoso Kian Soltani.

Service: Thursday, July 4, 8 p.m.: Bruckner Orchestra Open-Air, Hauptplatz Linz, admission free!