Composer

:

Anton Bruckner

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Motet

Compose Date

:

ca. 1843

Average_duration

:

4:46

Anton Bruckner's 'Libera me, Domine (I) in F major, WAB 21' is a sacred choral work composed in 1847. It was premiered on November 7, 1847, at the St. Florian Monastery in Austria. The piece is divided into three movements, with the first and third movements being in F major and the second movement in B-flat major. The first movement begins with a solemn and mournful introduction, with the choir singing "Libera me, Domine" (Deliver me, O Lord) in unison. The music then builds in intensity, with the choir singing in four-part harmony and the orchestra providing a dramatic accompaniment. The movement ends with a return to the mournful opening theme. The second movement is a brief interlude, with the choir singing "Dies irae" (Day of Wrath) in a haunting melody. The orchestra provides a sparse accompaniment, with the strings playing a repetitive figure and the brass and percussion adding occasional accents. The third movement begins with a joyful and triumphant fanfare, with the choir singing "Liber scriptus proferetur" (The written book shall be brought forth). The music then shifts to a more contemplative mood, with the choir singing in unison and the orchestra providing a gentle accompaniment. The movement ends with a return to the fanfare theme, with the choir and orchestra building to a grand finale. Overall, 'Libera me, Domine (I) in F major, WAB 21' is a powerful and emotional work that showcases Bruckner's skill as a composer of sacred music. The piece is characterized by its use of dramatic contrasts, from the mournful opening theme to the triumphant fanfare of the final movement. The use of Latin text and traditional choral techniques give the piece a timeless quality that continues to resonate with audiences today.

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