Anton Bruckner

Austria, 1863–1896

Austrian organist and composer. His nine symphonies are built from large static blocks of orchestral sound, an approach shaped by his work as an organist.

MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced Anton Bruckner and 2 artists Anton Bruckner influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Anton Bruckner?

• Richard Wagner — Bruckner idolized Wagner and dedicated his Third Symphony to him — the score bears the inscription 'to the eminent Excellency Richard Wagner'.
• Ludwig van Beethoven — Beethoven's Ninth was the formal model for Bruckner's symphonies — the mysterious openings, massive scale and choral aspiration.
• Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina — Bruckner's masses and motets carry the Palestrina style revived by the Cecilian movement — the a cappella motets are written almost in the old vocal idiom.

Which artists did Anton Bruckner influence?

• Gustav Mahler — Mahler attended Bruckner's Vienna lectures, prepared the piano reduction of his Third Symphony and inherited his monumental symphonic scale.
• Jean Sibelius — During his Vienna studies Sibelius heard Bruckner's Third and wrote home that Bruckner was 'the greatest living composer'.