Um Mitternacht, WAB 90


Um Mitternacht, WAB 90, is a song composed by Anton Bruckner in 1886 on a text of Robert Prutz. About twenty years earlier Bruckner had already composed a [Um Mitternacht, Werkverzeichnis Anton Bruckners|WAB 89|song on the same text].

History

Bruckner composed the song on a text of Robert Prutz on 11 February 1886, for the Strassburger Männer-Sangverein. The piece was performed on 15 April 1886 by the Liedertafel Frohsinn in the Städischer Volksgartensalon. Because of performance difficulties, the choir was enhanced by a harp.
The work, of which the original manuscript is stored in the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, was issued in the same year by the Strassburger Sängerhaus, and thereafter by Viktor Keldorfer, together with the other setting and the other "midnight-song" Mitternacht, WAB 80. It is issued in Band XXIII/2, No. 33 of the Gesamtausgabe.

Music

The song is using the text by Robert Prutz, which Bruckner had already used for Um Mitternacht, WAB 89.
The 93-bar long work in F minor is scored for [SATB|] choir and tenor soloist. Strophe 1 is sung by the choir. Strophe 2 and strophe 3 are sung by the tenor soloist with accompaniment of humming voices. Strophe 4 is sung by the choir.

Discography

Um Mitternacht, WAB 90, is less popular than the previous setting WAB 89. A selection among the few recordings: