Anton Bruckner
Anton Bruckner (1824-1896) was an Austrian composer, most famous for his nine grand symphonies and his church music. Never quite gaining full recognition for his work until he was in his sixties, Bruckner's music, with its strong spiritual emphasis, continues to divide the music community, creating admirers and detractors in equal measure.
Early Life
Anton Bruckner was born in Ansfelden, Upper Austria, on 4 September 1824. His father was a schoolmaster, devout Catholic, and the village organist. Anton had five younger siblings, and he learnt music from his father at an early age. Aged 13 and following his father's death, Anton joined the choir at the nearby Abbey Church of the monastery of Saint Florian, run by Augustinian monks. He followed in his father's steps when he gained employment as a village schoolmaster in 1840. Over the next five years, he moved around various towns and villages, always teaching. Anton again repeated his father's career steps when he, too, became an organist, this time at the Saint Florian Abbey. He had returned to Ansfelden in 1845 where he continued to work as a teacher, but once he gained a formal teaching qualification, he was able to gain a better salary and a position at St. Florian's. His organ skills soon shone through in church services. Anton was keen to compose, and early works include the Missa solemnis in B flat, but he was ambitious for more than local fame.
In 1855, Bruckner moved to Linz, where, from the next year, he worked as the first organist in the great cathedral, a position that included free accommodation. Bruckner held the organist position for 12 years, and the instrument would influence his composing style. Eager to improve his composing skills, he followed a correspondence course supplied by the Vienna Conservatory, which focussed on harmony and counterpoint. This was an unconventional route for someone who became a master of his art, certainly, it was a time-consuming one. Bruckner graduated in 1861 with great honours, one teacher ruefully remarked, "If I knew one tenth of what he knows, I'd be happy" (Sadie, 274). Bruckner was not quite finished with his studies, though. The 37-year-old next learnt more about orchestration and symphonic form under Simon Sechter (1788-1867), a respected teacher at the Vienna Conservatory. Bruckner travelled to Vienna once a week to have his lesson. Another teacher was Otto Kitzler, conductor at the Linz Theatre.
Bruckner was influenced by the work of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) and Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). Even more influential than these composers was the work of Richard Wagner (1813-1883), in particular his epic opera Tannhäusser, which Bruckner first heard in 1863, and then, personally invited to attend by the composer, Wagner's Tristan in Munich in 1864. Turning 40, Bruckner was finally inspired to make his mark in the wider world of classical music. He composed three masses, including Mass in D minor (completed in 1864), before turning to what would be his preferred format, the symphony.
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