Anton Bruckner, born on September 4, 1824, in Ansfelden, Austrian Empire, and died on October 11, 1896, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, was an Austrian composer and organist renowned for his symphonies and sacred music. He is considered a key figure in the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism, noted for his rich harmonic language and polyphonic style. Bruckner's compositions are characterized by their considerable length and innovative use of dissonances and modulations, which contributed to contemporary musical radicalism.

Bruckner was born to a family with a history of farming and craftsmanship. His father, Anton Bruckner Sr., was a schoolmaster and his first music teacher, introducing him to the organ, which Bruckner practiced diligently. After his father's death when Bruckner was 12, he was taken to the monastery of St. Florian, where he received a thorough musical education and developed a lifelong spiritual connection.

Initially following in his father's footsteps as a teacher, Bruckner eventually pursued a career in music, becoming the organist at Linz Cathedral in 1856. He was known for his exceptional talent as an organist, particularly in improvisation. Bruckner undertook rigorous training in harmony and counterpoint with Simon Sechter, a renowned Viennese pedagogue.

Despite his musical achievements, Bruckner remained humble and often revised his works, leading to multiple versions of many compositions. His symphonies faced criticism for their size and repetition, notably from Eduard Hanslick, a supporter of Johannes Brahms. However, Bruckner was admired by composers like Gustav Mahler and was influenced by Richard Wagner, whom he greatly respected.

Bruckner's symphonies, often described as "cathedrals in sound," reflect his deep religious devotion and architectural approach to composition. His works, including the Masses and Te Deum, continue to be celebrated for their monumental and original qualities. Despite his personal insecurities and social naivete, Bruckner's legacy as a composer of profound and influential music endures.