Famous Austrian composer honored

This year marks the 200th birth anniversary of Austrian composer Anton Bruckner, who had an enormous influence on the world of classical music.

He happens to be one of the favorite composers of conductor Lyu Jia, the artistic director of music at the National Centre for the Performing Arts and the music director of the China NCPA Orchestra.

Lyu initiated a project recording Bruckner's symphonies in 2016.

On March 14, he announced the release of the latest recording of Bruckner's eighth symphony, which was performed by the China NCPA Orchestra under Lyu's baton.

So far, the NCPA Classics — the record label under the NCPA — has released four recordings of the composer's symphonies, No 3, No 9, No 7 and No 8.

"In his compositions, Bruckner unites traditions ranging from Beethoven and Wagner to folk music, bordering between late romanticism and modernism. The symphonies of Bruckner are known for their large orchestration and rich sound and rhythmical structures," says Lyu. "His eighth symphony was the last symphony he completed, and he never made it to complete the ninth symphony."

Premiered in December of 1892, the eighth symphony, as Lyu puts it, is a spiritual masterpiece.