Lucerne Fo/Abbado - Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. I (Vienna version), Symphony No. IX

When, on 26th August 2013 in the KKL Concert Hall, Claudio Abbado conducted a performance of Bruckner�s Ninth with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, there was present in the room an inescapable sense of an ending. To this day, those present recall the conductor�s gesture of gratitude and thanks at the final ovation: Abbado placed his right hand on his heart with that gently self-effacing yet friendly look which was so characteristic of this man who was a star conductor yet who was devoid of any lordly airs. The premonition that this could turn out to be the last concert of Abbado�s could be felt in the atmosphere. And what a concert experience it was, this last concert and therefore also the last concert recording of Claudio Abbado!