Bruckner Symphony Cycle
In January 2017, Carnegie Hall took audiences on a journey—the first in North American history—through the complete numbered symphonies of Austrian master Anton Bruckner. Daniel Barenboim conducted the legendary Staatskapelle Berlin in nine concerts, pairing Bruckner’s symphonies with selected works by Mozart, including two of the composer’s sinfonia concertantes. Barenboim also showed tremendous versatility and great artistry as he triumphed in the herculean feat of leading several of Mozart’s piano concertos as soloist, conducting from the keyboard. On January 20, Barenboim celebrated the 60th anniversary of his Carnegie Hall debut by playing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 and conducting Bruckner’s Symphony No. 2. After the concert, Carnegie Hall Executive and Artistic Director Clive Gillinson honored Barenboim, who candidly reminisced about his debut performance and made an impassioned appeal for the role of the arts in contemporary society.