Born: 4 September 1824, Ansfelden, Austria
Died: 11 October 1896, Vienna, Austria

Bruckner, Anton

A great composer and brilliant organist, who was highly regarded for his amazing symphonic works. A son of a schoolmaster and organist, Bruckner's early musical education consisted of organ and theory instruction from his father and godfather. After his father died, Bruckner was sent from Ansfelden to St. Florian, the nearby Baroque monastery, to sing in the choir and to continue his studies. At Linz he studied briefly on counterpoint .When he finished his studies with excellence, one of the examiners commented, "He should have been testing us". He returned to St. Florian as a teacher and a master organist. From 1868 Bruckner became court organist and professor at the Vienna Conservatory.

He composed eight symphonies and many sacred, orchestral, choral, organ, and piano works. His symphonic music provoked extreme responses by players, who claimed it could not be performed. Many musicians and critics in Vienna opposed his works, because he was influenced by Richard Wagner. Wagner himself admired him, and argued that he was the only composer to reach the level of Beethoven. Bruckner returned the favor by dedicating the Adagio from Symphony No. 7to his memory.

He was at work on his Symphony No. 9 in D minor (unfinished) when he died. His remains were taken to St. Florian where they lie buried under the organ.

The influence of both Wagner and the church music on Bruckner's orchestration is clear in the sound and effects like these of the church chorals. His symphonic work influenced Mahler, which was also one of his pupils.

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