Anton Bruckner (; ) was an
Austrian composer known for his
symphonies,
masses, and
motets. The first are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German
Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, strongly
polyphonic character, and considerable length. Bruckner's compositions helped to define contemporary musical radicalism, owing to their
dissonances, unprepared
modulations, and roving
harmonies.