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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De Teum in C majorAnton Bruckner2rank/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. 6, Movement IIAnton Bruckner3rank/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.

Symphony No. 9Anton Bruckner4rank/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. 8Anton Bruckner5rank/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. 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.

Cavalry Lancers’ Quadrille WAB 120 No. 1Anton Bruckner7rank/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.