Symphony No. 2 in C minor
Anton Bruckner
Work background
Researched classical background
Bruckner's Second Symphony survives in significantly different 1872 and 1877 versions. Alterations affect its proportions, orchestral details and the ordering of the inner movements. These authorial states have also appeared through several editorial traditions. The composition date identifies the original symphony, while a precise performance description needs the version and edition as well as the work's number.
A listening guide
Check the version and the order of the slow movement and scherzo when comparing recordings.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra
Composition: 1872
Original version 1872; major revision 1877. A questionable premiere date on a publisher page is not adopted.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Date, title and version notes
Different versions and editions contain materially different musical texts.
Musikwissenschaftlicher Verlag: Bruckner Second Symphony
1872 and 1877 versions; erroneous premiere label not adopted | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Bruckner discography: Second Symphony versions
Distinct 1872 and 1877 scores and edition differences | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Musikwissenschaftlicher Verlag: Bruckner Second Symphony
1872 and 1877 versions; erroneous premiere label not adopted | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Bruckner discography: Second Symphony versions
Distinct 1872 and 1877 scores and edition differences | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Browse by year
1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.