Anton Bruckner Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Quadrille Summer: Allegretto, WAB 121Anton Bruckner8rank/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 Bruckner9rank/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?

Piano Piece in E-flat major, WAB 119Anton Bruckner10rank/position

Anton Bruckner – Klavierstück in E-flat Major, WAB 119

Piano Piece in E-flat major, WAB 119 is a work composed in 1856 by the great Austrian composer Anton Bruckner.

With a performance time of about one minute and thirty seconds, it is very short and stands apart from Bruckner’s other large-scale works.

From this miniature, one can sense his inner sensitivity and delicacy.

As a piece in the public domain, it is one of the more approachable works among Bruckner’s piano compositions and seems well-suited for those who would like to try playing his piano music.

Symphony No. 8 in C minorAnton Bruckner11rank/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.

Symphony No. 7Anton Bruckner12rank/position

Bruckner Symphony No. 7 Jochum / Vienna Philharmonic

When it comes to Bruckner’s symphonies, the image of a “grand scale” and a “majestic finale” is firmly established.

This piece is no exception; performing all four movements takes over an hour.

A distinctive feature of this work is the use of Wagner tubas, and in the second and fourth movements one is enveloped by their unique harmonies.

Symphony No. 9, Movement IIIAnton Bruckner13rank/position

Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, WAB 109: I. Feierlich, misterioso (Live)

Work on the piece began in August 1887, following the completion of the Eighth Symphony, but was interrupted by revisions to earlier works, and only in 1891 was he finally able to concentrate on it.

Pushing on through repeated illnesses and striving to complete it until just before his death, he left the symphony in three movements, lacking the fourth movement.

Reminiscence in E-flat major, WAB 117Anton Bruckner14rank/position

Anton Bruckner – Erinnerung, WAB 117

Many of Anton Bruckner’s works are characterized by their weighty grandeur and expansive length, yet he did, in fact, leave behind a small number of piano pieces as well.

Among them, Reminiscence (Erinnerung) is a relatively little-known miniature composed around 1868.

Within its roughly five-minute duration, Bruckner’s introspective and emotionally rich musicality is distilled.

Though it has no lyrics, the harmony, melody, and dynamics of the music itself vividly portray his deep emotional expression.

It is a gem I highly recommend not only to those familiar with Bruckner’s symphonies but also to anyone encountering his music for the first time.