I. Allegro moderato; II. Scherzo. Allegro moderato – Trio. Langsam; III. Adagio. Feierlich langsam; doch nicht schleppend; IV. Finale. Feierlich, nicht schnell

Bruckner's Eighth Symphony – as with this Third and Fourth – underwent substantial revisions before it attained its final shape. The first version was written between 1884 and 1887, the second from 1889 to 1890. In this second phase, Bruckner recomposed the ending of the first movement, removed certain details and incorporated a new trio into the scherzo. Between these two versions – something very characteristic of Bruckner's work methods – he returned to revising the Third Symphony.

Bruckner dedicated the symphony to Emperor Franz Joseph, who accepted the dedication and financially supported the work's publication. It was premiered in Vienna by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by János Richter. It received what was, for Bruckner, an unprecedented reception. Hugo Wolf was present and enthusiastically reported on the concert in a letter to a friend: %u201CThis symphony is the work of a giant, it goes beyond anything of his previous symphonies with its intellectual dimensions, richness and enormity. To spite the ill intentioned and fateful Cassandras who voices were heard before the concert, the success was indescribable. The light with is irresistible power had a total victory in the darkness, and an storm of enthusiasm broke forth, which each movement quietened. In brief: it was a more miraculous triumph than any Roman general could have desired for himself.”

This monumental symphony summarises all of Bruckner's earlier symphonies. In it, he swapped the places of the scherzo and slow movement (following the example of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony). Wolf could not know that this was the last Finale Bruckner was to complete. Bruckner's next symphony, No. 9, remained uncompleted. It is as if he sensed that the new dramatic possibilities deriving from the changing the placing of the slow movement opened the possibility for bidding farewell in the last symphony.