| Festgesang | |
| Key: | C major |
| Catalogue: | WAB 15 |
| Form: | Cantata |
| Language: | German |
| Dedication: | Jodok Stülz |
| Vocal: | choir and soloists |
| Instrumental: | Piano |
The Festgesang (Festive song), WAB 15, is a cantata composed by Anton Bruckner in 1855.
This cantata, also called Jodok Cantata, is the last of three larger-scale occasional compositions.[1]
Bruckner composed it on 6 December 1855 for the name-day of Jodok Stülz, the dean of the St. Florian Abbey,[2] as a "Farewell to St. Florian", three weeks before he moved to Linz.[3] The piece was intended to be performed on 13 December 1855 (Stülz's name day) or the evening before. The manuscript is stored in the archive of the St. Florian Abbey.[2]
The manuscript was retrieved in 1921 by Franz Xaver Müller in the archive of the St. Florian Abbey.[4] A facsimile was first published in volume II/2, pp. 241–244 of the Göllerich/Auer biography.[2] It is published in volume XXII/1 no. 5 of the German: Gesamtausgabe.[5]
The text used for the cantata is by an unknown author:
Retired in solitude,He went his way blessedlyAnd stepped, so far from storm and waves,Calmly up to the highest heaven | Your mind was so focused on God,That you feel what is right, is good.You feel committed to the Lord,And his law only is your delight. You are the father of your flock,Its salvation is really all your joy,And you do not quiver before the labourCowardly back like a hireling.You came from far away,To help it in fight and death,When you heard the newsThat a bad scourge threatened it. You care for the heart of the lovely children,You bring the adults to God,You know to combine seriousness with goodnessAnd alleviate consoling every need.You are shining through your actionsAnd sustain your word by them,And one never saw you drooped,You proceeded even more strongly. Noble knowledge adorns you, too,You are an expert of history,And what archives held enclosedYou have often brought to light. So be God on your way,He console you, should you be scared!His grace will always meet you,May he preserve you long for us |
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The in total 143-bar long work in C major is scored for choir and soloists, and piano.
The cantata is in six parts:[2] [4]
Despite it contains already own ideas of the composer, the 6-part cantata looks somewhat archaic with its two recitatives, arias and choir parts. The arias look back to baroque examples, in which a basso continuo instrument accompany the solo-singer. The choir parts – a little in the follow of Michael Haydn – refer with imitation phrases to florid counterpoint.[4]
There is a single recording of the Festgesang: