Donald Macleod traces Bruckner's extended musical apprenticeship, from his father's organ bench in the village church to the creation of his First Symphony nearly 40 years later.

Although Bruckner is now celebrated as one of the greatest symphonists of the 19th century, he took an unusually long time to achieve his musical ambitions. Donald Macleod traces Bruckner's extended musical apprenticeship from his father's organ bench in the village church to the creation of his first symphony nearly forty years later.