Two Totenlieder (Bruckner)

The two Totenlieder, WAB 47/1 & 47/2, 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.
The two Totenlieder were first published in band II/2, pp. 141–144 of the Göllerich/Auer biography. They are put in Band XXI/16 of the Gesamtausgabe.

Music

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.

Discography

There are a few recordings of the Totenlieder:

Jürgen Jürgens, Monteverdi-Chor, Bruckner - Music of St Florian Period - CD: BSVD-0111, 1985 - only the first Totenlied
Duncan Ferguson, Choir of St. Mary's Cathedral of Edinburgh, Bruckner: Motets – CD: Delphian Records DCD34071, 2010
Thomas Kerbl, Chorvereinigung Bruckner 2011, Anton Bruckner Lieder/Magnificat – CD: LIVA 046, 2011
Philipp von Steinäcker, Vocalensemble Musica Saeculorum, Bruckner: Pange lingua - Motetten - CD: Fra Bernardo FB 1501271, 2015
Łukasz Borowicz, Anton Bruckner: Requiem, RIAS Kammerchor Berlin, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin – CD: Accentus ACC30474, 2019