The Bruckner Society of America presented Music Director Jaap van Zweden with one of the Society’s Kilenyi Medals of Honor following his and the Orchestra’s performance of Bruckner's Symphony No. 8 at the Annual Free Memorial Day Concert at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. The Medal was presented to him for his “exemplary work in furthering the understanding and appreciation of the life and work of Anton Bruckner.”
Past recipients include the New York Philharmonic itself, plus several other Philharmonic luminaries: Arturo Toscanini, Bruno Walter, John Barbirolli, Artur Rodzinsky, and Kurt Masur.
The medal was presented by John Berky, Executive Secretary of the Society; Michael Cucka, Treasurer; and William Carragan, Vice President and one of the editors of the Bruckner Edition, Vienna.
Upon receiving the Medal, Mr. van Zweden said, “If there is a road to Heaven, [Bruckner] surely proves that the road is more beautiful than Heaven itself.”
(Photo: Jennifer Taylor)
