Bruckner's teacher, Otto Kitzler (Kapellmeister at the Linz theatre), introduced him to the music of Richard Wagner, which opened up a new world of sound and symphonic aesthetics for him.
Composer Biography
Anton Bruckner, the composer, was the eldest of 11 children and was sent to the Augustinian monastery of St Florian to become a choirboy after his father's death.
Compositional Technique
Bruckner's Symphony No. 5 is the only one in his entire oeuvre to begin with a slow Introduction, which introduces the thematic material.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bruckner was uncharacteristically satisfied with his Symphony No. 5, calling it his 'Fantastic' Symphony and a 'masterpiece of counterpoint'.
Composer Biography
Bruckner, though wanting to be a composer, initially worked as a village teacher and later as a cathedral organist in Linz.
Compositional Technique
The Finale of Bruckner's Symphony No. 5 combines classical sonata form with grand fugues, recalling and combining themes from previous movements, similar to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
Notable Performances
Bruckner never heard his Symphony No. 5 performed in concert; the premiere in 1894 was conducted by Franz Schalk, who made significant alterations to the score.
