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Jay Capperauld: Bruckner's Skull

Jay Capperauld: Bruckner's Skull

Jay Capperauld: Bruckner's Skull
From the multicolored to the macabre: Capperauld’s murky creation was inspired by the life-and-death obsessions of Austrian composer Anton Bruckner, who reputedly kissed the exhumed skulls of Beethoven and Schubert when the composers’ remains were transferred between Viennese cemeteries. Premiered in 2024 by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, this audacious creation dares to stare death directly in the face.

The composer writes, "The focus is on delving into Bruckner’s mind through the lens of his morbid fixation. I’m interested in why he was driven to what was socially unacceptable, immoral and potentially criminal behavior. The piece is a psychological and musical exploration of his character."