Criticism
Otto Kitzler did not consider this symphony to be particularly inspired, leading Georg Tintner to "wonder whether he had a good look at the Scherzo." Tintner considers the Finale of the work to be the weakest of the four movements.
Bruckner himself labelled it "Schularbeit" (schoolwork). Biographer Derek Watson says that compared to the Overture in G minor, the F minor Symphony "is certainly thematically uninspired and less characterful," but that it does have "some moments of warm melodiousness and consistently fine if unoriginal scoring." Also, the score is quite lacking in dynamics and phrasing marks compared to Bruckner's later works.
On the other hand, taken on its own, it is a beautiful symphony, reminiscent of Schumann, Schubert, Weber and Mendelssohn, but also including some daring, highly inspired passages. According to Nowak, "much about the work betrays the style of the times, but Bruckner’s own mode of expression can already be recognized in a number of other traits."
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