Symphony No. 7 in E Major, WAB 107

Quick Facts

• Written between 1881-83; revised in 1885
• Premiered in 1884 at the Neues Theater in Leipzig with the Gewandhaus Orchestra under Arthur Nikisch
• First published in 1885 (the revised version)
• Dedicated to King Ludwig II of Bavaria¹

About the Piece

• Bruckner’s seventh symphony was the composer’s musical memorial to Wagner (who died the same year that the symphony was completed, 1883). Wagner had long been a source of inspiration and esteem for Bruckner after hearing Tannhäuser in 1863.
  • Fun fact/Listen For – Bruckner was working on the second movement of the symphony when he learned of Wagner’s death – “Agadio Sehr feierlich und sehr langsam” (Very solemn and very slow).²
  • Bruckner wrote in a letter,

“One day I came home and felt very sad. The thought had crossed my mind that before long the Master would die, and just then the C sharp minor theme of the Adagio came to me.”

• Related fun fact – The “Adagio” movement was also played at Bruckner’s own funeral.
• Symphony No. 7 marked a significant turning point in Bruckner’s career (who was in his early 60s) and was declared a triumph. No. 7 is considered to be the composer’s most popular symphony.³
• Connection to Ludwig II – Ludwig II was famous for his patronage of Wagner and funding the creation of the Bayreuth Festival.   

1. “Symphony No.7 in E major, WAB 107 (Bruckner, Anton),” IMSLP, accessed March 23, 2023, https://imslp.org/wiki/Symphony_No.7_in_E_major%2C_WAB_107_(Bruckner%2C_Anton).
2. Steve Lacoste, “Symphony No. 7,” L. A. Phil, accessed March 23, 2023, https://www.laphil.com/musicdb/pieces/4040/symphony-no-7.
3. Marianne Williams Tobias, “Symphony No. 7 in E Major,” Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (2017), accessed March 23, 2023, https://www.indianapolissymphony.org/backstage/program-notes/bruckner-symphony-no-7-in-e-major/.