| Herbstlied | |
| Composer: | Anton Bruckner |
| Key: | F-sharp minor |
| Catalogue: | WAB 73 |
| Text: | Friedrich von Sallet |
| Language: | German |
| Dedication: | Josef Hafferl |
| Vocal: | choir, 2 soprano soloists |
| Instrumental: | Piano |
(Autumn song), WAB 73, is a romantic song composed by Anton Bruckner in 1864. The song, scored for men's choir and two soprano soloists with piano accompaniment, depicts an autumn walking with nightingale song.
Bruckner composed the song on a text of Friedrich von Sallet on 19 March 1864.[1] [2]
Bruckner dedicated the song to his friend Josef Hafferl, chairman of the Liedertafel Frohsinn. The piece was performed on 24 November 1864 in the German: Redoutensaal of Linz by Frohsinn under Bruckner's baton, with Marie Schimatschek and Anna Bergmann as soloists.[1] [2] [3]
A copy of the work, of which the original manuscript is lost, is stored in the archive of the Liedertafel Frohsinn.[1] [2] The piece, which was first issued by Viktor Keldorfer (Universal Edition) in 1911, is issued in Band XXIII/2, No. 16 of the German: Gesamtausgabe.[4]
Herbstlied is using a text by Friedrich von Sallet.
Because in such sound one dreamsPleasantly of a hint of spring,Of the song of nightingaleand of young green on the bush. I walk cheerfully through the fields,Where withered thistles nod,And think of the gentle may roseWith morning's fresh eyes. I like to look to the skyWhen black clouds cover it,Think of thousand lovely stars,Which are hidden behind. |
The 69-bar long work in F-sharp minor is scored for choir, two soprano soloists and piano.[2] Strophe 1 is sung by the men's choir. Strophe 2 (from bar 17) is sung by the two soprano soloists, who are figuring the song of the nightingales,[1] with accompaniment of the men's choir. Strophe 3 is sung again by the men's choir. Strophe 4, which is sung again by the two soprano soloists with accompaniment of the men's choir, is ending pianissimo.
In the Göllerich/Auer biography, the song is described as German: ein treffliches Stimmungsbild herbstlicher Naturromantik (a felicitous evocation of autumnal nature-romanticism).[1]
The first recording of Herbstlied was by Theodor Rehmann with the Aachener Domchor in 1938 – 78 rpm: Electrola EG 6530 (transcription for choir)
There are two other recordings: