Symphony No. 9 in D minor is the last symphony on which Austrian composer Anton Bruckner (1824 - 1896) worked, leaving the last movement incomplete at the time of his death in 1896. Bruckner dedicated it "to the beloved God" (in German, dem lieben Gott). Recently attempts have been made to construct a fourth movement based on Bruckner's notes (see Wikipedia for details), but frankly I don't like the result at all. Quite the opposite: : the symphony is perfect as it is, in its three movements, and especially having the beautiful Adagio end with a whispered coda, suggesting a glimpse of heaven. Unfinished and all, this is a clear top 10 composition for me. The three movements work's average playing time is 61 minutes (AllMusic). I have thirteen versions, of which I have a preference for the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under Bernard Haitink on a Philips CD.
