[Recommended] Carefully selected masterpieces by Bruckner, the great master of symphonies and sacred music
Anton Bruckner, the Australian composer and organist renowned as a master of symphonies and sacred music.
In this article, we present some of his most widely celebrated works—pieces known for their weighty character and a pronounced religious tone that reflects his devout Catholic faith.
Please enjoy, along with videos and commentary, a selection of quintessentially Brucknerian works, rich in depth and evoking elegant, monumental vistas reminiscent of Austria’s abundant natural landscapes and the majestic Baroque churches.
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[Recommended] Carefully Selected Masterpieces by Bruckner, the Great Composer of Symphonies and Sacred Music (41–50)
Cavalry Lancers’ Quadrille WAB 120 No. 2Anton Bruckner
A beginner-friendly piano piece by Anton Bruckner, Quadrille for Lancers.
Although Bruckner is known as a leading composer of the late Romantic era, he actually left some shorter, accessible piano works, and this is one of them.
Written in the 1850s for his students, it is a compact dance piece in four parts, featuring an appealing, lively sound that evokes Austrian folk dance.
Each part presents its own distinct melody and rhythm, offering a different character from his weighty symphonies.
It is a work that beginners to Bruckner should definitely explore.
[Recommended] Carefully selected masterpieces by Bruckner, a master of symphonies and sacred music (51–60)
Quadrille of Lancers WAB.120 No. 3Anton Bruckner
Among the few piano works Anton Bruckner left to the world, the Lancer Quadrilles, composed around 1850, are beloved as a light, rhythmical set of dances.
No.
3 in particular takes about three minutes and twenty seconds to perform.
Its repeated melodies, capturing the character of the social dance known as the quadrille, are especially striking.
Listeners familiar with Bruckner’s symphonies will find a fresh kind of appeal here.
It’s also a highly recommended piece for anyone seeking an easygoing, enjoyable piano miniature.
Cavalry Lancers’ Quadrille WAB 120 No. 4Anton Bruckner
This piece is a solo piano work by Anton Bruckner written in 1850, with a performance time of about 4 minutes and 10 seconds.
Unlike the grand symphonies for which Bruckner is best known, it is a light, danceable dance piece that conveys the social atmosphere of the time.
Its brilliance and elegance as expressed through the piano make it a great recommendation for newcomers to classical music.
Whether you’re not very familiar with piano pieces or you’re currently practicing the piano, consider adding it to your repertoire.
Quiet Thoughts on an Autumn Evening WAB 123Anton Bruckner
Bruckner, the Austrian composer who represents the Romantic era, wrote a rare piano piece, “Quiet Thoughts on an Autumn Evening,” which is an approachable work recommended even for early to intermediate-level players.
Within its roughly four minutes, it distills a gentle, autumnal sentiment suited to an evening in fall, and it also carries nuances that faintly recall Chopin.
While the piece itself is relatively accessible, performing it with finesse—skillfully interweaving the right-hand melody with the left-hand accompaniment—does require a certain level of technique.
Piano works by Bruckner, renowned as a master of the symphony, are extremely rare and brim with the charm of revealing an unfamiliar side of the composer.
This place was created by God.Anton Bruckner
Composed in 1869, this sacred music piece is believed to have been sung at the dedication of the New Cathedral in Linz, as indicated by the date on the score.
Written for mixed four-part choir, it is known as an outstanding work of sacred or choral music and continues to be performed by churches and choirs across Europe.
Its transparent, luminous harmonies make it particularly captivating.
Lanche Quadrille in C majorAnton Bruckner
A light and bright piano piece that pleasantly defies the image of “Bruckner equals solemn and weighty.” A quadrille is a dance in which four couples stand in a square and dance, and it is also an established musical style.
This charming piece lifts the spirits and fills you with a cheerful, buoyant mood.
Quadrille Finale: Poco animato, WAB 121Anton Bruckner
Austrian composer Anton Bruckner, a leading figure of the late Romantic era, is known for his weighty, grand-scale symphonies, but he actually left behind piano works as well.
The Quadrille, composed around 1854, is dance music for piano four hands consisting of six distinct sections.
Each part is based on a specific dance form, featuring strikingly classical dance rhythms and melodies.
Like Bruckner’s other piano pieces, it belongs to his early works and offers a light, approachable charm that differs from his orchestral music.
It is recommended not only for those studying piano but also for anyone who wants to feel closer to Bruckner.