'I will present to God the score of my Te Deum, and he will judge me mercifully' (Bruckner)

'They want me to compose in a different way. I could, but I must not' (Bruckner)

(Of Bruckners symphonies) 'Symphonic Boa Constrictors' (Brahms)

(Of his third Symphony) 'A vision of Beethovens ninth becoming friendly with Wagners Valkyries, and finishing up trampled under their hooves' (Critic Eduard Hanslick)

'Yesterday I heard Bruckners eighth symphony and it moved me to tears. For a long time after I was completely transported. What a strangely profound spirit, formed by a religious sense, as though something no longer in harmony with our time' (Sibelius)

(Of his second symphony) 'Very nice' (Wagner)

'Bruckner , he is my man' (Wagner)

If you've ever played them, then you'd agree with this comment. I certainly do. Number eight in particular, it moves me to tears.... of boredom and tedium. One and a half hours long and one and a half hours too long in my opinion. I've even sensed audiences getting fidgety and tired.

Playing Wagner, despite none of the notes sitting well under a violinists hand, is almost bearable by comparison.

But No 7 is one of my favourite Symphonies !