Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 - An Analysis

Vince Sheehan explores the themes and structures of this great symphony. Musical illustrations are played on both the violin and piano.
If this is your kind of thing, please consider supporting me via: paypal.me/royalvincident
Numbers below refer to bar/measures:
1. Introduction; Exposition: 1st Subject (55), 2nd Subject (101), 3rd Subject (161), Codetta (221); Development (237); Recapitulation: 1st Subject (363), 2nd Subject (381), 3rd Subject (425); Coda (453)
2. A; B (31), A1 (71), B1 (107), A2 (163) Coda (203)
3. A (sonata form); B (Trio); A (sonata form)
4. Introduction; Exposition: 1st Subject (31), 2nd Subject (67), 3rd Subject (137), Codetta (chorale - 175); Development (211); Recapitulation: 1st Subject (374), 2nd Subject (398), 3rd Subject (460); Codetta (496); Coda (564)

[@coryjorgensen622]

It has been said that the 5th is "the most Brucknerian of Bruckner's symphonies." I agree, and it is also one of the best. Thanks for this excellent analysis!

[@theenergyflowtribejamesbro1302]

What a treat ☀️. An analysis of what Bruckner referred to as his "Fantastische" and an equally fantastic explore, thank you so much for creating this.

[@shantihealer]

Greatly enjoyable analysis, many thanks!

[@mr-wx3lv]

Extraordinary symphony and man. How this man could rise above his mental health disorders and write this amazing music... Thanks for the analysis 😊...
Just to add, and you touched on it. How Bruckner unifies his symphonies. I can't think of another composer that does quite that in such large scale. Mahler doesn't do it much, Brahms too. Maybe Dvorak in his new world symphony and Tscaikovsky in his 4th does...

[@PLTConductorComposer]

How timely - I'm performing this Symphony tomorrow evening with an orchestra of mine!

[@vincentsheehan3193]

Wow - all the best for the performance!

[@ddrothste]

Thanks a lot for your analysis. I have been listening to Bruckner for almost 50 years. In my opinion, the 8th is most probably his most "beautiful" but the 5th is his greatest. Not only that but I consider it one of the greatest of all symphonies and one of the great creations of western art, based mainly on the "sui generis" finale (as you mentioned rivalling the genius counterpoint of the "Jupiter" finale") without doubt one of the greatest classical movements. Hard to find a more exhilarating moment than the return of the Chorale in the coda. Also pay attention right at the end (before the final 5 B flat cords) to the blazing out of the clarinet motive on the trombones, not always heard on recordings.

[@vincentsheehan3193]

Thanks for the great comment! Will listen out for the clarinet line at the end next time - all the best!

[@Leakey57]

Hey, how about analysing Peter Jan Marthé's Finale to Bruckner's 9th. Should be a giggle...

[@vincentsheehan3193]

Never say never…

[@NN-df7hl]

Vince, btw, when the 1st theme is brought into the "existing fugul texture" of the finale's development -- do you mean the "chorale melody" there is a NEW chorale? Or the SAME as the codetta's? Because you then say the recap also brings in the chorale with the 1st Theme and also the Codetta's recap is again the Chorale but with the 1st mvt's 1st theme. That's a lot of Chorales! ;)

[@vincentsheehan3193]

Sorry I will get around to answering your queries! I’m a bit busy at the moment but will come back to you!

[@NN-df7hl]

That "new idea" in the Finale's development sounds so much like the 1st big climax in Mvt 1 Introduction. Also, the "chorale" codetta in the finale reminds me of the "chorale" in Mvt I Introduction. Is that safe to say? I admit that many of brass fanfares sound almost interchangeable to me in this piece. ;)
Like it took me awhile to distinguish the Introduction from the actual Theme 1 Expo in Mvt 1. Again, a lot of likenesses. I believe the Intro ends and the Expo beings @ 3 mins and 17 secs into this performance by Jochum: th-cam.com/video/6J4IDfajZHw/w-d-xo.html Hope that's right! BTW, the Mvt 1 Development actual begins with a short quote from the Introduction, right? Which is @ 10 mins and 43 secs into the Jochum performance, yes?
Thank you! Your vids are a godsend! Bruckner Forever!
PS: The 5th is the toughest one to dive into. Like those superabundant Fugues and Double-Fugues are just impossible to follow. My fault, not Bruckner's. haha! I lack a certain cosmic acuity.