Anton Bruckner (1824—1896)—was an Austrian composer and organist who is exceedingly respected for his vast, innovative symphonic works.

In 1856, he was appointed organist at the Linz cathedral. Several years later he became court organist and teacher in Vienna. His work is distinguished by its contrapuntal complexity and extended melodies, which are in the formal tradition of Beethoven and Schubert. His works include Masses in D Minor (1864), in E Minor (1869), and F Minor (1872), a Te Deum (1886), and nine symphonies. He also composed motets, cantatas, chamber music, piano and organ pieces, and pieces for a chorus.

“Bruckner.” Encarta Encyclopedia. CD-ROM. Seattle: Microsoft, 2001.

“Bruckner.” 2003. Yahoo! Encyclopedia. January 2004. http://education.yahoo.com/referenc.../entry?id=11580.