Two Totenlieder (Bruckner)

For the other elegies by the composer, see Vor Arneths Grab, WAB 53.
Two Totenlieder
Motets by Anton Bruckner

Calliope, muse of elegy
Key E-flat major, F major
Catalogue WAB 47 & 48
Form Elegy
Language German
Composed 1852 (1852): St. Florian Abbey
Dedication Funeral of Josef Seiberl
Published 1932 (1932): Regensburg
Vocal SATB choir

The two Totenlieder, WAB 47 & 48, are elegies composed by Anton Bruckner in 1852.

History

Bruckner composed these two motets in 1852 for the funeral of his friend Josef Seiberl. The original manuscript is in the Stadtmuseum of Wels and a transcription is in the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek.[1]

The two Totenlieder were first published in band II/2, pp. 141-144 of the Göllerich/Auer biography.[1] They are put in Band XXI/16 of the Gesamtausgabe.[2]

Music

O ihr, die ihr heut mit mir zum Grabe geht
und bei meinem Leichnam jetzt versammelt steht,
heftet Sinn und Herzen nicht an diese Eitelkeit!
Sucht nur Gottes Reich und die Gerechtigkeit.

You, who go today with me to the tomb
And are now convened by my corps,
Do not stick your soul and heart to this vanity!
Look only for Gods kingdom and for justice.

The works are scored for SATB choir a cappella. The first setting in E-flat major is 10-bar long. The second setting in F major is 19-bar long.[1]

Discography

There are a few recordings of the Totenlieder:

References

  1. 1 2 3 C. van Zwol, p. 703
  2. Gesamtausgabe - Kleine Kirchenmusikwerke

Sources

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