Anton Bruckner

An Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. The former are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, complex polyphony, and considerable length. Bruckner's compositions helped to define contemporary musical radicalism, owing to their dissonances, unprepared modulations, and roving hamonies. Although Bruckner was a self-proclaimed musical disciple of Richard Wagner, he was also a devout Roman Catholic, and his sacred music displays a deep religious fervor.