Music for "Old Men"--The Symphonies of Anton Bruckner

Anton Bruckner (1824-1896) was destined to be just another Viennese composer when he began composing the first of his nine symphonies.  They were long, and it took awhile to find a conductor and an orchestra that would perform them.  Once they were performed, beginning with symphony No. 4, his status changed from failed primitive to astonishing new talent, and favorable comparisons with "The three Bs"--Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. Today he is sixth among the composers that comprise the so-called "Magnificent Seven" of Viennese symphonists (the others are Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, and Mahler).

Unlike the others, Bruckner did not bother much with composing other forms of music but concentrated his considerable talent mostly on symphonies.  His symphonies are long, sweeping and vastly romantic, and sometimes are compared with gothic cathedrals in their scope, beauty and grandeur.  In particular, Bruckner's hushed adagios seem to go on forever--up to 25 minutes (in some cases longer than the complete symphonies of Haydn and Mozart).

Not every conductor "gets" Bruckner.  Bruckner's symphonies need time to breathe; if rushed, they lose their sense of wonder. It seems only the "old men" of conducting have the patience and vision to truly grasp Bruckner's special art--those with at least 20 year's experience on the  podium.  In our time the prime example is Gunther Wand (pronounced "Goonter Vand"), a German conductor who for most of his career did not enjoy success.  It wasn't until he was past the age of retirement, that he made Bruckner's nine symphonies his specialty.  In his 70s, 80s and early 90s, he enjoyed a second career conducting Bruckner's symphonies, for appreciative audiences from Berlin to Vienna, and from New York to Los Angeles.  I heard him conduct Bruckner's Fifth in Chicago's Symphony Hall, where for one special evening in the hushed atmosphere of the great hall he made time stand still.

Another was the late Wilhelm Furtwangler (1886-1954) whose recordings of Bruckner's symphonies with the Vienna Philharmonic during World War II are legendary, despite dated sound. Other notable Brucknarians include Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), and Bruno Walter (1876-1962).

You want music that awes and inspires? Below is a list of Bruckner's most celebrated and insiring symphonies, and the conductors and orchestras that bring out the best in his art:

No. 4 in E-flat -- Gunter Wand/Berlin Philharmonic

No. 7 in E -- Herberrt von Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic

No. 8 in C minor -- Wilhelm Furtwanger/Vienna Philharmonic

No. 9 in D minor -- Bruno Walter/Columbia Symphony Orchestra

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