The correct story.  Bruckner was enthralled by Wagner's music and in
terrified awe of the man himself.  At the time of the completion of the
(first version) Third, Bruckner had arranged his first ever visit with The
Master at Bayreuth.  Wagner apparently received Bruckner very cordially,
but with some amusement at Bruckner's flowery and obsequious manner of
speaking with Wagner.

Bruckner took the manuscript of the Third with him to Bayreuth and (by his
own admission) finally screwed up his courage to offer the work to Wagner
with a request that Wagner "allow" Bruckner to inscribe the work to him.

By the time Bruckner had to leave to return to Vienna, Wagner had not given
the composer an answer and Bruckner had to write him a followup letter to
ask again.  To jolt Wagner's memory, he described the work as the "one in
d-minor, with the opening trumpet solo..." to which Wagner replied, "Yes,
yes!  Many thanks!"

This made the composer very happy indeed.

John M. Proffitt
General Manager & C.E.O.
Radio Station KUHF-FM