Baußnern's extensive catalogue of compositions includes almost all musical genres, yet it displays an emphasis on both choral symphonic and orchestral composition. As a composer, Baußnern found stimulation from poetry, for not only his vocal music, but also his instrumental music; the poetry of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe emerged as an especial source of inspiration. This compositional impetus is reflected in numerous titles of his works, yet his oeuvre lacks any programmatic design. Stylistically, Baußnern stands out as a maverick to his contemporaries, remaining a composer who defies classification. Generally, however, his music is rooted in the 19th century, yet exhibits independence of form, ranging from extremes of conventional tonality to frequently polyphonic chromaticism, nonetheless never metamorphosizing into atonality.
Baußnern completed Peter Cornelius's fragmentary opera Gunlöd in 1906 and served as editor of the operatic section of a comprehensive edition of Cornelius' works.
Sustained success eluded Baußnern during his life, and many of his compositions (for example, all of his symphonies) were never published. Research into Baußnern work remains in its infancy, but a Baußnern Society (Baußnern-Gesellschaft), founded by German composer Dietrich von Bausznern (1920–1980), Baußnern's grandson, seeks to promote awareness of his life's work. Current chair of the society is Angela Gehann-Dernbach.
Operas
Poet and World (Dichter und Welt), musical drama (Libretto: Julius Petri; 1894, première: Weimar 1897)
Dürer in Venice (Dürer in Venedig) (Libretto: Adolf Bartels based on a text from a novella by Adolf Stern; 1897, première: Weimar 1901)
Herbort and Hilde (Herbort und Hilde), light heroic opera (Libretto: Eduard König; 1901, première: Mannheim 1902)
The Bundschuh (Der Bundschuh) (Libretto: Otto Erler; 1903, première Frankfurt am Main 1904, surviving only in a piano arrangement)
Satyros (Satyros) (Libretto: Waldemar von Baußnern based on a text by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe; 1922, première: Basel 1923)
Choral works
The Birth of Jesus (Die Geburt Jesu), Christmas motet for soprano, alto, choir, orchestra and organ (1911)
The Song of Songs on Life and Death (Das Hohe Lied vom Leben und Sterben), oratorio for soloists, choir and orchestra (1913, surviving only in a piano arrangement)
