Um Mitternacht, WAB 89


Um Mitternacht, WAB 89, is a song composed by Anton Bruckner in 1864.

History

Bruckner composed the song on a text of Robert Prutz on 12 April 1864, for the Linz Liedertafel Sängerbund. The piece was performed on 11 December 1864 by Sängerbund in the Redoutensaal under Bruckner's baton. The work, of which the original manuscript is stored in the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, was first issued by Viktor Keldorfer in 1911, together with the other setting and the other "midnight-song" [Mitternacht, Werkverzeichnis Anton Bruckners|WAB 80|Mitternacht, WAB 80]. It is issued in Band XXIII/2, No. 17 of the Gesamtausgabe.

Text

Um Mitternacht uses a text by Robert Prutz.

Music

The 56-bar long work in F minor is scored for [SATB|] choir, alto soloist and piano. In strophe 1 the F-minor key forms the mystic background, from which the men's choir, accompanied by pedal points and unison lines of the piano, emerges in open fifths. Strophes 2 and 3 are sung by the alto soloist with accompaniment of the choir. In strophe 4 the melody of strophe 1 is sung again by the choir and the soloist. Bars 14-16 and 27-34 are sung a cappella. The song is ending pianissimo with the piano alone.
In the first issue of 1911, Keldorfer wrote "Das Zaubrische der Mondscheinpoesie scheint Bruckners sensibele Natur ganz besonders gefangen genommen zu haben. Im Bann solch traumhaft mystischer Stimmungen schuf er drei 'Mitternachts-Chöre'.".

Discography

Um Mitternacht, WAB 89, is one of the most popular Bruckner's Weltliche Chorwerke. The first recording of Um Mitternacht, WAB 89, was by Robert Kühbacher with the Wiener Sängerknaben and Robert Kühbacher in 1955 – LP: Philips N 00726 R
A selection of the about 10 other recordings:
  • Hubert Günther, Ingrid Günther, Männergesangverein Concordia Hamm, Willy Nölling, Musik im Schloss – LP: Garnet G 40 107, c. 1976
  • Guido Mancusi, Julia Bernheimer, Chorus Viennensis, Walter Lochmann, Musik, du himmlisches Gebilde! – CD: ORF CD 73, 1995
  • Thomas Kerbl, Katrin Wundsam, Männerchorvereinigung Bruckner 08, Mariko Onishi, Anton Bruckner – Männerchöre – CD: LIVA027, 2008
  • Jan Schumacher, Alison Browner, Camerata Musica Limburg, Andreas Frese Serenade. Songs of night and love – CD: Genuin GEN 12224, 2011
  • Markus Stumpner, Erinnerung - Bruckner in St. Florian, Sankt Florianer Sängerknaben – CD : Solo Musica SM 450, 2024