Bruckner's Strange Relationship with Women - The Mystery of "Unpopularity"

Anton Bruckner (1824-1896) is a composer known for his magnificent and pious symphonies, but for some reason he is often said to be "not popular with women. Is this really just a prejudice, or does it have a statistical basis? In this column, we will delve into the data concerning Bruckner's unpopularity with women, and even discuss some outlandish hypotheses.

1. imbalance in terms of audience ratios in concert halls

According to statistics on audience dynamics at classical music concerts in recent years, female audiences often account for 50-60% of the audience at a typical orchestra performance. However, in programs where Bruckner's symphonies are performed, the figures are reversed, with male audiences accounting for more than 70% of the audience.

As a specific example, data from a Bruckner festival held in a major German concert hall in 2022 reported that 74% of the audience was male (survey by the Vienna Philharmonic). Why so much bias?

2. differences in harmonic structure and gender preferences

Bruckner's symphonies are characterized by their long form and solemn harmonic progression. Some studies suggest that the chord progressions with "Wagnerian stagnation" and the relentlessly repeated brass chorales in particular are music that psychologically "sticks in the male brain". In contrast, for female listeners who prefer the clear melodic lines of Mozart and Chopin, Bruckner's music may seem "hard to understand" and "progressions unreadable.

3. the influence of religiosity

Bruckner was a devoted Catholic, and his works strongly reflect his religious piety. It has been hypothesized that this may be incompatible with female listeners who value "sensual beauty" and "dramatic expression. For example, works by more sentimental and passionate composers such as Mahler and Rachmaninoff tend to attract many female fans.

4. perhaps Bruckner's "face" problem? 4. perhaps Bruckner's "face" is a problem?

It is also possible that the visual appearance of a composer has an influence on taste. For example, Frederic Chopin and Franz Liszt are said to have contributed to their popularity among women with their neat looks. Bruckner, on the other hand, has the appearance of a strict, scholarly priest, to put it mildly, and there are few elements to make one yearn for him romantically. Is this really an influence ......?

Is there such a thing as a "Bruckner girl? Is there a "Bruckner girl"?

However, this is not to say that there are no women who like Bruckner: some female listeners on social networking sites say that they are "comfortable with Bruckner's vast acoustic space. In the field of musicology, there are also female researchers who are interested in the structural beauty and religious significance of the music, and it may be premature to assume that it is necessarily "not popular with women.

Summary - Is Bruckner "music for men"?

Based on statistical data, Bruckner's music certainly tends to be strongly favored by male listeners. However, whether this is essentially "music that does not resonate with women" requires further research. Perhaps it is simply that "Bruckner's listening style is not widespread.

How do you feel about Bruckner's music? Perhaps, by listening to it from a new perspective, you may find it surprisingly appealing.