Bringing a new bloom to Bruckner

When a recording of Symphonies Nos 1 to 9 — the entirety of Anton Bruckner's symphonic cycle — was released by NCPA Classics on Dec 22, it was a groundbreaking achievement, not just for the China NCPA Orchestra and conductor Lyu Jia, but for the wider classical music landscape.

This ambitious project saw the Beijing-based resident symphony orchestra of the National Centre for the Performing Arts embark on an extraordinary interpretation of the Austrian composer's vast musical oeuvre. Released on the NCPA's 17th anniversary, the recording also coincided with the 200th anniversary of Bruckner's birth.

This complete cycle, the pinnacle of Lyu's decade-long journey with the China NCPA Orchestra, was also the first time a Chinese symphony orchestra had recorded all nine symphonies under a single conductor.

The esteemed classical music magazine Gramophone published a review of the cycle by Christian Hoskins. "Given the performers' lack of track record in this repertoire, one might not know what to expect. But the interpretations here are distinctive and compelling, if not always entirely mainstream in their approach," the review read.

"In terms of editions, Lyu uses the final versions of Symphonies Nos 1, 2, 3, and 8, and the second of the three versions of No 4. The performance of the First Symphony, recorded live, is perhaps the finest of the cycle," it continued.

Hoskins also referenced recordings made by Romanian conductor Sergiu Celibidache in the 1980s and '90s, as well as the cycle by one of his students, French conductor Remy Ballot.

"It's to Lyu's credit that, in most cases, I find his performance more persuasive than the equivalent versions by Celibidache and Ballot," he wrote.

For Lyu, Bruckner's symphonies are not merely pieces of music — they are profound journeys into the heart of human emotion and spirit.

"It is an endeavor that transcends the technical demands of the music and delves into the very essence of musical and cultural dialogue between China and the West. We are very proud of this project," says the 60-year-old, who became the principal conductor of the China NCPA Orchestra in 2012, two years after its founding. "This historic release is not only a celebration of Bruckner's timeless music but also a symbolic gesture highlighting China's growing prominence on the global classical music stage."

One defining characteristic of the NCPA interpretation is Lyu's notably slow tempo, especially when conducting the Eighth Symphony, which stretches to an expansive 100 minutes.

"I wanted to say more with the music, so I intentionally slowed the tempo," the conductor explains. "Each of Bruckner's symphonies is its own cosmos, and I wanted to discuss the philosophical nature of his music through the performances."

Over the years, Lyu has made it his mission to explore the composer's monumental symphonies — work that has come to define an important chapter in his artistic life. He says that his relationship with Bruckner has been a journey of deep personal resonance.

"It wasn't possible for me to record this cycle when I was a young conductor. Bruckner's music is an exploration of human emotion, and his symphonies express strength, fragility, belief, and existential reflection," says Lyu, who was born into a musical family in Shanghai and began studying piano and cello at a young age. He later studied conducting at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and at 24, was admitted to Berlin University of the Arts to hone his skills. The following year, he was awarded the First and Jury's Prize at the Antonio Pedrotti International Conducting Competition in Trento, Italy, launching his career as a conductor.

"The significance of this release extends beyond the borders of China, as it places the NCPA Orchestra at the heart of a global conversation about Bruckner," the conductor adds.

The recording of all nine symphonies has been years in the making. The orchestra first performed Bruckner's symphonies in 2016, when they were considered a tough sell in China. However, under Lyu's leadership, perceptions have shifted dramatically. The orchestra's performances of Bruckner now draw significant crowds, with attendance rates rising from 70 percent in 2016 to 85 percent in 2023, according to the NCPA. This shift underscores the growing maturity of the Chinese classical music audience and an increasing appreciation for the emotional depth of Bruckner's work.