Salvum fac populum tuum, WAB 40


Salvum fac populum tuum, WAB 40, is a motet composed by Anton Bruckner in 1884.

History

The motet, based on a few verses of the Te Deum, was composed on 14 November 1884, presumably on request of Franz Xaver Witt for the Cecilian society. The manuscript is archived at the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek. The motet was first published in band IV/2, pp. 496–497 of the Göllerich/Auer biography. It is put in Band XXI/31 of the Gesamtausgabe.

Music

The 57-bar motet in F major for choir a cappella, is based on the verses "Salvum fac populum tuum" till "Quem ad modum speravimus in te." of the Te Deum.
This, a unique composition for Bruckner, which uses the same verses as part 4 of his Te Deum, alternates passages in unison, in Falsobordone and in polyphony.

Discography

There are a few recordings of Bruckner's Salvum fac populum tuum: