Symphony No. 6 (Bruckner)

Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 6 in A major is the least often performed of the composer's mature Symphonies. It was finished in 1881, and the composer then undertook a revision, with suggestions around 1891 (http://www.geocities.com/dkgriegel/versions.html).

Related Topics:
Anton Bruckner - 1881 - 1891

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It is usually played in an edition prepared by Robert Haas or Leopold Nowak, which requires an instrumentation of one pair each flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, with four horns, three trumpets, three trombones and one tuba along with timpani and strings.

Related Topics:
Robert Haas - Leopold Nowak - Flute - Oboe - Clarinet - Bassoon - Horn - Trumpet - Trombone - Tuba - Timpani - Strings

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It has four movements:

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• Majestoso A major. It begins with a rhythmic pattern on the violins (rather than a tremolo) using the Bruckner rhythm
• Adagio F major.
• Scherzo A minor. The Trio contains reminiscences of Symphony No. 5.
• Finale A major.

Occasionally referred to by the nickname "Philosophical" (not given by the composer), this Symphony was not performed in the composer's lifetime. Its premiere was conducted by Gustav Mahler, who made several large cuts.

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Of all the explanations given for the neglect of this work, the most often given is that the rhythmic complexities of the Bruckner rhythm in the first movement (often set against other instances of the rhythm in different note values) make it difficult to maintain good ensemble. Despite infrequent concert performance, it is included in all boxed sets of Bruckner Symphonies.

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