Anton Bruckner

Early Years: up to 1845 Born in Ansfelden, September 4 th, 1824; died in Vienna, October 11 th Born in Ansfelden, September 4 th, 1824; died in Vienna, October 11 th The eldest of 11 children (only 5 survived). The eldest of 11 children (only 5 survived). Son of the village schoolmaster and organist. Son of the village schoolmaster and organist. At age four, first performance for parish priest. At age four, first performance for parish priest. Was sent at 13 as a chorister to the St. Florian monastery after his father’s death. Was sent at 13 as a chorister to the St. Florian monastery after his father’s death. Exposure to pre- and classical composers. Exposure to pre- and classical composers.

…Early Years Studied the violin, singing, and played organ for Sunday masses. Studied the violin, singing, and played organ for Sunday masses. In 1841, first teaching position, he supplemented his income with violin playing. In 1841, first teaching position, he supplemented his income with violin playing. There are few records of his early works, but a few masses and other pieces suggest there was nothing extraordinary about his skills as a composer. There are few records of his early works, but a few masses and other pieces suggest there was nothing extraordinary about his skills as a composer.

St. Florian, Happy to return as an assistant schoolteacher. Happy to return as an assistant schoolteacher. 1849: Singing instructor for choirboys. 1849: Singing instructor for choirboys. 1850: Became provisory monastery organist. 1850: Became provisory monastery organist. Many works were developed during this time and were dedicated to his friends and mentors. Many works were developed during this time and were dedicated to his friends and mentors. 1855: Passed qualifying exam for high-school teachers. 1855: Passed qualifying exam for high-school teachers. Became unhappy and secretly left St. Florian. Became unhappy and secretly left St. Florian.

Linz, December 1855: Performed his first mass in Linz which gained him his new position. December 1855: Performed his first mass in Linz which gained him his new position. Linz was a large town, musically influencial. Linz was a large town, musically influencial. Entered into a long period of study, no composing. Entered into a long period of study, no composing. In 1861, he composed his first masterpiece, the seven-voice Ave Maria. In 1861, he composed his first masterpiece, the seven-voice Ave Maria.

Ave Maria With the Bishop’s Blessing, he and Sechter worked on thousands of pages of exercise. With the Bishop’s Blessing, he and Sechter worked on thousands of pages of exercise. March 1861: certificate declaring completion of harmony and counterpoint instruction. March 1861: certificate declaring completion of harmony and counterpoint instruction. A brief period of active creativity followed. A brief period of active creativity followed. First performed on May 12, 1861 for the founding of the Liefertafel Frohsinn. First performed on May 12, 1861 for the founding of the Liefertafel Frohsinn. uckner-Ave_Maria.pdf uckner-Ave_Maria.pdf uckner-Ave_Maria.pdf uckner-Ave_Maria.pdf

Mass no. 2 His first Mass was a great success… His first Mass was a great success… Critics thought he would soon enter the “symphonic realm with utmost success!” Critics thought he would soon enter the “symphonic realm with utmost success!” First symphony between First symphony between Before moving to Vienna he wrote Mass no. 2 and 3, all three share similar characteristics Before moving to Vienna he wrote Mass no. 2 and 3, all three share similar characteristics Written for chorus and small group of wind instruments to meet Cecilians half way. Written for chorus and small group of wind instruments to meet Cecilians half way. Revised in 1876 and Revised in 1876 and 1882.

Mass No. 2 in E minor Composed August-November Composed August-November Kyrie: e Gl: C Cr: C S: G B: C A: e Kyrie: e Gl: C Cr: C S: G B: C A: e Minor tonic: only Kyrie and Agnus Dei Minor tonic: only Kyrie and Agnus Dei Gloria and Credo: same key Gloria and Credo: same key Kyrie: tripartite Kyrie: tripartite Gloria: ends with a fugue Gloria: ends with a fugue Unique: composed with wind accompaniment Unique: composed with wind accompaniment

Lifetime Achievements Over 7 masses Over 7 masses Over 9 symphonies Over 9 symphonies Many small sacred and secular works Many small sacred and secular works Music was used for Nazi propaganda, Hitler was from Linz, his religiousness was downplayed Music was used for Nazi propaganda, Hitler was from Linz, his religiousness was downplayed Works still studied today Works still studied today

Bibliography “Anton Bruckner.” Classical Music Pages. 18 April October “Anton Bruckner.” Classical Music Pages. 18 April October “Anton Bruckner.” Classical Net. 18 April “Anton Bruckner.” Classical Net. 18 April Williamson, John. The Cambridge Companion to Bruckner. Cambridge University Press, 2004: Williamson, John. The Cambridge Companion to Bruckner. Cambridge University Press, 2004: