Bruckner and the Harmonium

While Anton Bruckner’s legendary organ improvisations have been extensively documented by his contemporaries and biographers, the role of the harmonium in his life remains less explored. In this article for The Organ, Dirk Luijmes presents a comprehensive overview of Bruckner’s relationship with this instrument. The piece examines Bruckner’s personal harmonium, accounts of his masterful playing technique, and his experience with a specially tuned instrument. Of particular interest to harmonium players is the potential addition of a Bruckner hymn arrangement to the catalog of his harmonium compositions.

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  Anton Bruckner in zijn woonkamer in de Heßgasse, Wenen Foto collectie Österreichische Nationalbibliothek

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  Anton Bruckner, geportretteerd in 1890 door Ferry Bératon