The full Symphony No. 6 was not premiered during Bruckner's lifetime; only its two central movements were performed in 1883 by the Vienna Philharmonic.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bruckner himself called his Sixth Symphony the "boldest" of his symphonies, a name that rhymes with "sixth" in German.
Notable Performances
The first complete premiere of Bruckner's Sixth Symphony was conducted by Gustav Mahler on February 26, 1899, though Mahler made several cuts.
Composition History
Anton Bruckner worked on his Symphony No. 6 from 1879 to 1881, noting its completion in his meticulously kept calendar on September 3, 1881.
Composer Biography
Bruckner dedicated his Sixth Symphony to Dr. Anton von Oelzelt-Newin, a philosopher and architect, and his wife Amy, who provided him with free lodging.
Recording & Production
This album is a live recording from August 2013, made at the Ebrach Abbey Church by Bayerischer Rundfunk - Studio Franken.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The Sixth Symphony is sometimes called Bruckner's "Pastorale," similar to Beethoven's work, because it can be interpreted as a hymn to the beauty of nature.
