Psalm 22 (Bruckner)
Encyclopedia
Bruckner
's Psalm 22 is a composition for mixed choir, soloists (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass), and piano in E flat major
, opus WAB 34. It is a setting of the Psalm 23
in the modern liturgy.
Amongst the five psalm settings composed by Bruckner, "Psalm 22" is the only one with piano accompaniment. The work was composed in circa 1852 in St. Florian
, but it is unknown whether it was performed at that time. The first performance occurred on 11 October 1921 in St. Florian by Franz Xaver Müller.
As in Bruckner's contemporaneous Magnificat
the verses are sung as an Arioso
alternatingly by the choir and the soloists.
The last verse is sung by the choir first as a fugue
and thereafter as a a cappella
Chorale
.
Bruckner also set Psalms 112
, 114
, 146
and 150
to music.
Anton Bruckner
Anton Bruckner was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. The first are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, complex polyphony, and considerable length...
's Psalm 22 is a composition for mixed choir, soloists (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass), and piano in E flat major
E flat major
E major or E-flat major is a major scale based on E-flat, consisting of the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. Its key signature has three flats: B, E, A.Its relative minor is C minor, and its parallel minor is E minor....
, opus WAB 34. It is a setting of the Psalm 23
Psalm 23
In the 23rd Psalm in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, the writer describes God as his Shepherd. The text, beloved by Jews and Christians alike, is often alluded to in popular media and has been set to music....
in the modern liturgy.
Amongst the five psalm settings composed by Bruckner, "Psalm 22" is the only one with piano accompaniment. The work was composed in circa 1852 in St. Florian
St. Florian's Priory
St. Florian's Priory is a monastery in the town of Sankt Florian, Upper Austria, Austria.-History:The monastery, named after Saint Florian, was founded in the Carolingian period. From 1071 it has housed a community of Augustinian Canons, and is thus is one of the oldest operational monasteries in...
, but it is unknown whether it was performed at that time. The first performance occurred on 11 October 1921 in St. Florian by Franz Xaver Müller.
Text
- Der Herr regieret mich, und nichts wird mir mangeln:
- auf einem Weideplatze, da hat er mich gelagert: am Wasser der Erquickung mich erzogen:
- meine Seele bekehret: mich geführt auf die Wege der Gerechtigkeit, und seines Namens willen.
- Denn wenn ich auch wandle mitten im Todesschatten, so will ich nichts Übels fürchten, weil du bei mir bist. Deine Ruhte und dein Stab, die haben mich getröstet.
- Du hast einen Tisch vor meinem Angesicht bereitet wider die, so mich quälen. Du hast gesalbet mit Öl mein Haupt: und mein berauschender Becher wie herrlich ist er!
- Und deine Barmherzigkeit folget mir all’ die Tage meines Lebens:
- daß ich wohne im Hause des Herrn auf lange Zeit.
As in Bruckner's contemporaneous Magnificat
Magnificat (Bruckner)
The Magnificat WAB 24 by Anton Bruckner is a setting of the Magnificat for vocal soloists, chorus, orchestra and organ written in 1852. It was premiered in Sankt Florian, as Bruckner had specifically composed it for the Vesper service of the church there...
the verses are sung as an Arioso
Arioso
In classical music, arioso is a style of solo opera singing between recitative and aria. Literally, arioso means airy. The term arose in the 16th century along with the aforementioned styles and monody. It is commonly confused with recitativo accompagnato....
alternatingly by the choir and the soloists.
The last verse is sung by the choir first as a fugue
Fugue
In music, a fugue is a compositional technique in two or more voices, built on a subject that is introduced at the beginning in imitation and recurs frequently in the course of the composition....
and thereafter as a a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
Chorale
Chorale
A chorale was originally a hymn sung by a Christian congregation. In certain modern usage, this term may also include classical settings of such hymns and works of a similar character....
.
Bruckner also set Psalms 112
Psalm 112 (Bruckner)
Bruckner's Psalm 112 in E flat major is a composition for eight-part double mixed choir and full orchestra, opus WAB 35. It is a setting of the Psalm 113 in the modern liturgy....
, 114
Psalm 114 (Bruckner)
Bruckner's Psalm 114 in G major is a composition for five-part mixed choir and three trombones, opus WAB 36. It is a setting of the Psalm 116 in the modern liturgy.The work was composed in 1852 in St. Florian...
, 146
Psalm 146 (Bruckner)
Psalm 146 in A major by Anton Bruckner is a large religious work for eight-part double mixed choir, four soloists and full orchestra. It is a setting of verses 1 to 11 of Psalm 147 in the modern liturgy....
and 150
Psalm 150 (Bruckner)
Anton Bruckner's Psalm 150, WAB 38, is a setting of Psalm 150 for mixed chorus, soprano soloist and orchestra written in 1892.Richard Heuberger asked Bruckner for a festive hymn to celebrate an opening, but Bruckner did not deliver the piece in time for Heuberger's purpose. The setting was...
to music.
Discography
- Franz Farnberger, Anton Bruckner in St. Florian – Requiem & Motetten, St. Florianer Sängerknaben, Studio SM D2639 SM 44, 1997
- Thomas Kerbl, Anton Bruckner - Chöre & Klaviermusik, Chorvereinigung Bruckner 09 and Kammerchor der Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität Linz, LIVA 034, 2009