Bruckner’s Symphonies
There is also a certain romantic formality, if such a contradiction in terms may be allowed, about his symphonies, which in part creates a feeling as though Cherubini had come to life again and become imbued with the modernity of the men of our time. Had Bruckner been as great a melodist as he is a contrapuntalist, the balance of musical power would not have been exactly what it is to-day, and Schumann and Brahms would have had a serious competitor.
String Quintett in F major
But it is here that a weakness is revealed which no mere technical skill or elaborate orchestration can hide. Many of Bruckner’s works are no doubt here and there quite melodious, but this is the case when the influence of other masters, chiefly Beethoven and Wagner, is most evident. In spite, however, of considerations of this kind, his music deserves more than a passing word, although so far as concerns the subject treated of in this book, Bruckner has left but one chamber music composition, a Quintett for strings in F major.
This work, however, made a considerable stir in musical circles when it appeared, and it is said to have been played with the greatest success by the Hellmesberger Quartett in Vienna, that most critical of musical centres. We are not aware if Bruckner has written any other chamber music; at any rate nothing further appears in the list of his music which has reached England. This Quintett has not, it is believed, been performed here, nor indeed, so far as we know (1902), has any work of Bruckner’s been given, save his Seventh Symphony, which was performed in London, under Dr. Richter, in the year 1887.
The two extracts from this Quintett which are quoted below will illustrate better, no doubt, than any written description both the weakness and the strength of this composer. The first movement has much ingenuity, but little charm. Counterpoint and modulation are copiously poured out, and are indeed made to do service for those higher qualities without which there is no true art.
1st Movement, String Quintett in F.
Anton Bruckner.
