Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major “Romantic”Anton Bruckner1rank/position

Bruckner Symphony No. 4 “Romantic,” Movement I — Wand, NDR

This work was written by the Austrian composer and organist Anton Bruckner, also known by its subtitle, “Romantic.” Bruckner is often regarded as a composer favored by connoisseurs, as many of his pieces are complex and lengthy.

Among his works, however, the Symphony No.

4 in E-flat major features relatively shorter performance time and approachable melodies, making it a good recommendation for those new to Bruckner.

It is also the piece that helped establish his reputation.

Of course, “short” is relative—its performance time is just under an hour—so settle in on a long autumn evening and give it a careful listen.

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Symphony No. 6, Movement IIAnton Bruckner2rank/position

Bruckner Symphony No. 6 in A major, Movement II — Myung-Whun Chung

Bruckner is minor enough as it is, and among his works, the Symphony No.

6 is probably one of the most obscure.

Nevertheless, it is also a symphony highly regarded by aficionados, a hidden gem known to those in the know.

In particular, the second movement will make you wonder how such beautiful harmonies can arise despite its simple scales.

De Teum in C majorAnton Bruckner3rank/position

Anton Bruckner – Te Deum in C major

Among Anton Bruckner’s sacred works, the Te Deum is performed relatively often.

It is a choral piece that begins with the traditional text “We praise thee, O God” and consists of five movements.

This work is notable for its majestic, powerful, and richly weighty character.

Symphony No. 8Anton Bruckner4rank/position

Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 — “Finale”

Conducted by Herbert von Karajan, the Vienna Philharmonic.

Influenced by his father, an organist, Bruckner began his musical journey and, by completing monumental symphonies that are often mentioned alongside Mahler’s, came to be regarded as the foremost symphonic composer of the late Romantic era.

Symphony No. 9Anton Bruckner5rank/position

Bruckner: 9. Sinfonie ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙ Stanisław Skrowaczewski

It is the last symphony Bruckner worked on and was left unfinished when the composer passed away.

Even today, attempts to complete the fourth movement continue.

Overall, it is filled with richly bright timbres; the opening proceeds at a slightly brisk tempo, and from the middle it paints a beautiful, flowing, dance-like scene.

Toward the end, there is a quietly dreamy comfort, and it concludes in a rather understated manner.

The absence of unnecessary accelerations or decelerations is appealing.

Symphony No. 7, Second MovementAnton Bruckner6rank/position

Bruckner Symphony No. 7, Movement II

Symphony No.

7 is regarded as the first of Bruckner’s symphonies to have a successful premiere and, alongside the Fourth, is one of his most popular works.

While composing the second movement, his beloved Wagner became critically ill; Bruckner continued writing with a premonition of Wagner’s death, and when Wagner passed away, he added a coda as a “funeral music” in his honor.

Symphony No. 8 in C minorAnton Bruckner7rank/position

Bruckner Symphony No 8 Celibidache Münchner Philharmoniker Live Tokyo 20 Oct 1990

A work completed in 1878, repeatedly revised thereafter, and premiered in 1892.

Dedicated to Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, it is a grand piece with a performance time exceeding 80 minutes.

Its lyrical yet rugged character is captivating, and it is frequently featured in concerts both in Japan and abroad.

Cavalry Lancers’ Quadrille WAB 120 No. 1Anton Bruckner8rank/position

Lancier-Quadrille in C Major, WAB 120: I. Eingang

Composed around 1850, Lancer-Quadrille, WAB 120 is a work for piano four hands consisting of six sections, incorporating lively dance elements based on the 19th-century social dance, the quadrille.

It offers a glimpse of a more casual and approachable side of Bruckner, distinct from the weighty impression of his symphonies, making it a valuable piece.

It’s also recommended for classical music beginners as a work that showcases Bruckner’s diverse talents.

Quadrille Summer: Allegretto, WAB 121Anton Bruckner9rank/position

Quadrille, WAB 121: II. Ete. Allegretto

Written around 1854, the dance music Quadrille for piano four hands is an approachable six-part work by the late-Romantic master Anton Bruckner.

In particular, “Summer: Allegretto” is notable for its light, lively rhythm, making it one of the more accessible pieces among Bruckner’s piano works.

This piece reveals a homely, heartwarming side of Bruckner that differs from his symphonies.

It’s likely to be enjoyed by a wide audience, from classical newcomers to piano enthusiasts.

Quadrille Trousers: Andante con moto WAB 121Anton Bruckner10rank/position

Quadrille, WAB 121: I. Pantalon. Andante con moto

When we think of Anton Bruckner, he is known as a master of the symphony, but in fact he also left piano pieces.

Andante con moto, one of the dances in a set titled Quadrille, is a short piece performed at a calm tempo.

It has an unusually light and bright character for Bruckner and is a piece that can be recommended even to beginners in classical music.

This dance set, consisting of six pieces, was written in 1854 when he was 29 years old.

Although each movement lasts no more than a minute and a half, they each display a distinctive character.

Why not sample Bruckner’s charm in an easy, approachable form?