Anton Bruckner (4 September 1824 – 11 October 1896) was an Austrian composer of the Romantic era. Many of his works were savagely criticized in his lifetime. They are unique in the symphonic repertoire in that they exist in several versions. The study of Bruckner today remains prominent among orchestrators and composers to address some of the problems Bruckner encountered in an age when the symphony orchestra itself was expanding in size. Bruckner's works are known for the overpowering use of augmented brass.