Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 in A Major, WAB 106

Description

Written between 1879 and 1881, Anton Bruckner's (1824-1896) Symphony No. 6 was considered his "boldest symphony" by the composer, though many critics of the time would have certainly disagreed.

It is among the four symphonies some have termed Bruckner's "Major Tetralogy" composed in Major keys. While the original premiere by the Vienna Philharmonic under Wilhelm Jahn on February 11th, 1883, was the only performance in Bruckner's lifetime, it also only included the two inner movements. The first performance of the full work took place in 1899 under Gustav Mahler, but large cuts were made, leaving the first fully complete performance for March 14th, 1901, with Karl Pohlig conducting in Stuttgart.

The only one of his nine symphonies to undergo no revisions by the composer, the score was first published in 1899, with editorial work done by former Bruckner pupil Cyrill Hynais.

Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 4.3.3.1: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).