Among the composers of the 19th century, Anton Bruckner holds a special, almost mysterious place. In an era when opera reigned supreme, he remained faithful to absolute music — the symphony, without literary associations or programmatic plots. Paradoxically, it was his encounter with the work of Richard Wagner, the main representative of the “music of ideas,” that inspired Bruckner to embark on this path.

Symphony No. 7 became Wagner’s musical monument. Bruckner began writing it before his last meeting with the Maestro in Bayreuth in 1882, and the tragic news of Wagner’s death in February 1883 caught the composer working on the Adagio.

Symphony No. 7 brought recognition to the Austrian composer. Even during the composer’s lifetime, it gained great popularity and even received the programmatic title “Lyric”, although Bruckner himself used it very rarely. The original of the symphony was lost, but even this did not prevent subsequent editions from bringing the Symphony world fame. Symphony No. 7 remains in the collections of the best symphonic works of all time and in the repertoires of the world’s leading orchestras. It unfolds a real universe of spiritual searches, philosophical reflections and majestic emotional impulses. Contemplation and depth reign in the extensive, leisurely melodies and boundless musical phrases.

The first movement opens with a gentle theme of horns and cellos, growing from the quiet tremolo of the strings. It is answered by two more themes, full of inner tension. The Adagio, the heart of the symphony, sounds majestic and mournful – here, for the first time in the history of symphonic music, Wagnerian tubas appear, adding solemn depth to the sound. The Scherzo brings contrast – witty, earthy, with a touch of folk spontaneity. The Finale echoes the motifs from the first movement: the symphony forms a large circle, ending with solemn fanfares.

Performers:

• Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Lviv National Philharmonic
• Viktor Ploskina, conductor

Program:

Anton Bruckner. Symphony No. 7 in E major
Allegro moderato
Adagio. Very festive and very slow
Scherzo. Very fast – Trio – Slightly slower
Finale. Moving, but not fast