Bruckner Sym. No. 2 - 3rd Mvt.

Symphony No. 2 in C minor — Movement III: Adagio (1872 Version)
Anton Bruckner, arranged for concert band by Lee Jackson

This arrangement brings one of Bruckner’s most deeply felt slow movements to the concert band medium, drawing from the 1872 version of the Second Symphony as edited by the late Dr. William Carragan. Where the original relies on the warmth and sustain of the string section, this setting places the saxophone section at the center — with the soprano saxophone taking a prominent leading role, supported by rich sectional scoring that preserves the movement’s long, arching melodic lines and profound harmonic weight.

The result is a rare and rewarding programming choice: a symphonic Adagio of genuine depth and scale, reimagined for an ensemble that can do it full justice. Ensembles with a strong saxophone section will find this arrangement a natural showcase for lyrical playing, breath control, and expressive phrasing within a large-scale symphonic context.

Performance details: Grade 5 — Advanced | Duration: approx. 16 minutes | Instrumentation: Concert band with soprano saxophone, alto clarinet, and contrabass clarinet