Once you get into Bruckner, other composers of his era start to pale in comparison.

Anton Bruckner had his 200th birthday on September 4. Though Bruckner wrote fanfares, his birthday came and went without one. Bruckner doesn’t get the love he deserves except from people such as me. I take that back. Bruckner probably gets the correct amount of love. He is not widely loved by general audiences but he is deeply loved by his adherents.

The Austrian composer and organist of the late Romantic period created complex musical structures. His music tends to meander but the payoff is profound. Once you get into Bruckner, other composers of his era start to pale in comparison. 

When it comes to symphonies, I prefer Bruckner to all others. Gustav Mahler is performed far more often than Bruckner. When I listen to Mahler it feels as though he is trying to accomplish something whereas Bruckner’s music is being something. What that something is depends on the personal context of each listener.

In college, I made my roommates listen to Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8. As the music progressed they kept asking me what each climax meant. “What did that part mean? What did that part mean? What did that part mean?” I fished for meaningful answers but there were none. Bruckner’s music doesn’t specifically mean anything. 

Bruckner had a quirky personality, to say the least. He was often described as a gentle giant, both physically and temperamentally. Standing at over six feet tall and possessing a large frame, his imposing presence contrasted with his humble demeanor.

Bruckner was also the product of a modest upbringing. His childhood was steeped in musical influences, particularly from the church. He was a deeply religious man and steadfast in his devotion to Catholicism. Bruckner was known for frequently crediting God for his musical inspirations, often attributing his compositions to divine guidance. This extreme religiosity often set him apart from his contemporaries. His worldview was decidedly innocent. 

He was famously naive when it came to social cues, which sometimes made his interactions uncomfortable. His social awkwardness was compounded by a childlike enthusiasm for the topics he loved, particularly music. This earnest passion sometimes led him to engage in lengthy monologues about compositions or church music, which could overwhelm his listeners.

Overwhelming is the best word to use when describing the Bruckner experience. Bruckner’s symphonies are long but they are also dense. The sheer volume of notes is staggering.

If you want to start listening to Bruckner, start with his Symphony No. 6 followed by his Third. From there move to the Fourth, Seventh, and Ninth. Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 is in a category by itself. The Ninth would join the Eighth at the pinnacle of Bruckner’s output but it is incomplete. After the Eighth, you should be able to handle the Fifth. The Fifth is the most Brucknerian of Bruckner’s output. Once you have become a dedicated Brucknerian go ahead and listen to his First and Second symphonies. The second movement of the Second is quite beautiful.