Why Listen to Bruckner?

the man who wrote this epic music was once labeled a musical Fool by his colleagues this man is Anton Bruckner one of history's most Monumental symphonic composers bruckner's music is an emotional Odyssey which perhaps draws from his own internal emotional desolation his intimate Melodies intertwine and escalate into some of the most chilling apocalyptic soundscapes the intensity and the vastness of it are almost too complex to contemplate each note each phrase is an exploration of the sheer force that music can carry and is a Quest For Truth amidst the complex tapestry of layered emotions and expressions yet however enlightening his music may be Anton Bruckner was a misunderstood figure both as a composer and a person his peers harshly criticized him and his eccentricities only fueled this criticism but why given all this should you listen to his music [Music] born in 1826 Anton Bruckner spent the first three decades of his life in a village in Upper Austria initially trained to become a teacher he secured his first significant appointment as principal organist of Saint Florian from there his musical career began to take flight by the time he secured his position as an organist in Lintz Bruckner had already made significant strides in his career as a church composer his portfolio boasted hymns coral motets and a complete Requiem Mass while these Works remained firmly within the conservative church music tradition they signaled the beginnings of a talent that would soon blossom linse wasn't just bruckner's workplace it was a city rich in musical experiences waiting to be explored here Bruckner encountered The Works of various composers but none left such a mighty impression as Beethoven so profound was Beethoven's influence that Bruckner enrolled in a course on composition and Counterpoint taught by Simon sector in Vienna from 1855 to 1861. in 1863 Brookner encountered Wagner's breathtaking Opera tanhoiser this masterpiece struck a chord and Wagner joined Beethoven's ranks as one of bruckner's most admired composers two years later Bruckner journeyed to Munich for the premiere of Tristan antisolder which for so many composers was a life-changing experience but Bruckner wasn't just known for his musical prowess his eccentric personality turned heads he had obsessive Tendencies such as practicing the organ for 12 hour sessions and he carried deep-seated religious beliefs Bruckner had a compulsion to count things he was obsessed with death he had allegedly fingered and kissed the skulls of Beethoven and Schubert when their corpses were moved to Vienna's Central Cemetery his romantic Pursuits often raised eyebrows he had a tendency to propose to teenage girls believing that his prospective bride should be a virgin just as he was in order for their marriage to be worthy in the eyes of God and though he would often be told kindly but her Bruckner you are too old he would always accept this feedback even if he was upset by it this coupled with his arduous work schedule led to a four-month nervous breakdown in 1867. despite his quirks bruckner's academic Excellence Shone through when applying for a teaching diploma from the Vienna Conservatory his knowledge was so impressive that one of the panel members conducted Joseph herbeck cried he should have examined us if I knew one tenth of what he knows I would be happy in 1867 in the wake of his mentor sector's death Bruckner was invited to fill the vacant professorship at the Vienna Conservatory he accepted and went on to earn a reputation as a highly respected Professor however his heart was always with his music despite being more famous for his organ improvisations at the time he never gave up on composing in 1866 he completed his first Symphony but it was six years later with the performance of his mass in F minor in Vienna that he truly made his mark this success cemented his position as one of the most significant composers of his time and also showed the world that Bruckner was a force to be reckoned with in the world of symphonic music so why should we listen to Bruckner and what makes him stand out as a composer [Music] music is its grandiosity and expansiveness dense orchestration and soaring Melodies his use of brass and percussion instruments creates a powerful and Majestic sound that is exemplified by his eighth Symphony let's take the first movement for example the piece opens with a solemn commanding introduction with strings and Brass in unison setting a tone of grandeur that Echoes throughout the work the symphony unfolds it swells into a sweeping theme played by the strings crescendoing into a powerful Chorale theme that culminates in a dramatic climax of Rich full-bodied harmonies this moment a quintessential brokenarian move is often hailed as one of the most Monumental in all classical music Beyond his Symphonies bruckner's Coral works also showcase his impressive soundscapes take his teide a religious composition set to the hymn of praise and thanksgiving scored for soloists a mixed choir and large Orchestra including an organ this work alternates between introspective prayerful sections and grandiose celebratory ones with the brass often taking the center stage as one of bruckner's most acclaimed choral works it often Graces the lineups of both religious ceremonies and concerts [Music] another striking aspect of his musical style is his deep incorporation of religious themes and imagery consider brookner's mass in F minor this piece composed for choir and Orchestra is a testament to the range of emotional intensity and spiritual power that Bruckner could Infuse into his music the Benedictus features a soprano solo and reverberates with a profound sense of reverence and ore or take his motet Ave Maria composed for acapella choir here we encounter brookner's signature Rich harmonies which evoke a tranquil contemplative atmosphere beautifully conveys a sense of prayerful devotion offering a direct glimpse into brookner's sincere piety and it shows his knack for imbuing his music with spiritual depth a devout Roman Catholic Bruckner saw his music as an extension of his religious expression whether written for choir or orchestra his pieces are characterized by this sense of awe and Grandeur and often evoke a sense of divine Transcendence bruckner's music holds immense historical significance and forms an essential part of the austro-german musical tradition while Bruckner was certainly influenced by Wagner one can see that Wagner was influenced by Bruckner in turn take participal for example which is filled with Dresden Corrals and Transfiguration themes certainly influenced by the Corrals of brookness Symphonies one could argue that what Wagner was to Opera Bruckner was to the symphony both shared a vision of the Epic Monumental vastness and the transcendental power that music could convey bruckner's Unique compositional Style is easily recognized by his remarkable ability to craft intricate and diverse soundscapes his orchestration frequently features a prominent brass section and a large group of strings producing tremolo effects which add depth and Nuance to his music long sustained Melodies build to climaxes there are intricate harmonies and clever use of recurring motives all of these are Hallmarks of his style the first movement of his fourth Symphony perfectly illustrates how Bruckner introduces a simple Motif and then develops it the movement opens with a horn Motif that lingers in the air this Motif is then passed seamlessly to the woodwinds creating an unbroken chain of the figure all the while building to a dramatic climax the movement culminates in another bold Monumental climax driven by the recurring horn Motif that has been building throughout the piece contributing to its sense of coherence wait for it the unparalleled tension and cathartic release of emotions is breathtaking meanwhile the second movement of his seventh symphony is often referred to as the most solemn funeral music of the 19th century this deeply sensitive theme was inspired by bruckner's contemplation of Wagner's impending death in fact Wagner passed away while Bruckner was working on this movement Bruckner also Incorporated a quartet of Wagner tubers further adding to the pieces somber yet Majestic feel bruckner's Ninth Symphony his final and unfinished work is a deeply introspective and contemplative work it stands as a towering Monument of musical genius Brookner dedicated it to the Beloved God the first movement begins with hushed shivering tremolo in the strings which then builds to several climaxes including a particularly powerful one near the end of the movement the third movement is the emotional heart of the symphony beginning with a hauntingly beautiful theme in the violins it builds to a Tutti climax with a cathartic release of emotion this visit epitomizes bruckner's ability to create a profound sense of emotion in his music the final movement was left incomplete Bruckner was working on it even on the morning of his death day although he supposedly suggested using his tadayam as the ninth symphony's finale several attempts have been made to complete this Symphony with a Fourth Movement based on brookner's Surviving manuscripts Bruckner died on October 11 1896 in Vienna after a period of illness believed to be pneumonia he was laid to rest in some Florian in Upper Austria beneath the very organ where he had served as the cathedral organist for many years Anton bruckner's music represents a pinnacle in the austro-dromanic musical tradition his compositions exude a profound sense of spirituality and an unwavering commitment to musical craftsmanship his symphonies in particular are manifestations of his extraordinary Talent they reflect his grandiose musical imagination and unparalleled ability to create sweeping mellifluous soundscapes within complex multi-movement structures the intricate harmonies stir the soul and transport listeners to a realm of transcendence leaving an indelible imprint on our hearts as the renowned conductor and pianist Daniel barenborn once said The more I conduct Bruckner I think this is not architecture this is an archaeological Expedition I feel every section is like going deeper and deeper under the Earth and then at the bottom you are left with some incredible result of archaeological excavation foreign do you want to improve your musicianship skills whether it's your ear training your sight reading or your writing skills the musician's Fast Track is your answer to quick and effective musical training you can unlock all of this training completely for free by clicking the link below don't let your talent go to waste and don't miss the joy of mastering your musicianship click the link below now and fast track your musical Journey today [Music]

Channel: Inside the Score

Views: 121,536

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Id: CPi1-0zuet4

Length: 14min 4sec (844 seconds)

Published: Thu Jun 15 2023