Bruckner was a prolific symphonist, yet was almost never paid for his compositions. He was also a musical radical, whose adventurous use of traditional harmony sparked heated debate among the better-known composers of his day. But being a devout Catholic, Bruckner set himself apart from his contemporaries and led a sequestered life of almost monastic piety. The Te Deum is a revealing synthesis of the most important strains of Bruckner's life: first, his daring manipulations of large orchestral and choral forces, and second, his profound religious faith. The work is scored for chorus, vocal soloists, and orchestra, and can be said to represent the summation both of Bruckner's artistic philosophy and his spirituality.