Anton Bruckner

Anton Bruckner (September 4, 1824 – October 11, 1896) was an Austrian composer of the Romantic era. Many of his works were savagely criticized in his lifetime, and are unique in the symphonic repertoire in that they exist in several versions. The study of Bruckner today remains prominent among orchestrators and composers to address some of the problems Bruckner encountered in an age when the symphony orchestra itself was expanding in size. Bruckner's works are known for the overpowering use of augmented brass.

Reception in the 20th Century

The Nazis appropriated the music of Bruckner for propaganda purposes. This was in part because Hitler shared Bruckner's hometown of Linz. He was dead (unlike a living composer of the time like Richard Strauss so he could not object to propaganda use of his music), because Bruckner idolized Wagner and because Hitler identified with Bruckner as an artist rejected by the establishment in Vienna, which included Jews. Thus, for propaganda purposes, Bruckner's humble origins and Wagnerism were emphasized while his religiousness was downplayed. Thus, when Herbert von Karajan wanted to play Bruckner's Fifth Symphony in Aachen together with motets, the party disapproved.

Related Topics:
Linz - Richard Strauss - Herbert von Karajan

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Despite the use of Bruckner's music in Nazi propaganda, Bruckner's music was never blacklisted in Israel the way Wagner's was.

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