ABSTRACT
The Second Symphony is a pivotal creation in Anton Bruckner's work. The symphony was created within a very short period, almost entirely during the summer of 1872. The early version of the symphony has three variants: the first conceived in 1872, and the others performed in 1873 and 1876. A number of clarifications and additions were made in tempo indications. Some of these were entered into the parts by Carda in 1872 or 1873, as shown by occasional crowding in his writing; one of these was the change from Allegro to Moderato in the tempo of the first movement. Bruckner originally conceived this movement as a four-section A–B–A–B form with coda. However, toward the end of the compositional process, Bruckner decided that an elaborate fifth part would enhance the movement. A feature of the fifth section, which Bruckner employed in every subsequent use of the form, was delicate, improvisatory, filigree-like passagework for the first violins.
