Bruckner 7

Anton Bruckner's late symphonic period begins with his Seventh. Though this mostly lyrical work finishes in an energetically radiant E major, at its centre is its great C-sharp minor Adagio, in which moving, funereal music takes several runs toward its grandiose climax, which immediately transforms into a painfully sublime eulogy to Richard Wagner - the master whom Bruckner admired so deeply had died a short time before. With the Seventh the grief-stricken Bruckner achieved his international breakthrough. To this day it remains one of his most popular symphonies: a masterpiece, and a masterwork for Yutaka Sado.