Deryck Cooke, a musicologist, sought to shed light on the confusion surrounding the various versions of Bruckner's Third Symphony. He initially listed six alternatives, but recommended the 1877 and 1889 editions as the definitive ones. However, further research expanded this list to a total of nine versions.[3][5]
Cooke's aim was to disentangle the complex situation, but new discoveries led to even more variations and complicated the question of which version should be considered authentic. A central factor was Bruckner's tendency to constantly revise the work, to which the Third Symphony in particular was subjected multiple times. Furthermore, it is assumed that his admiration for Wagner was a reason for the changes, making the genesis of this symphony even more multifaceted. Ultimately, the history of the Third Symphony underscores Bruckner's close artistic connection to Wagner and his music.[3][5]