| Iam lucis orto sidere | |
| Composer: | Anton Bruckner |
| Key: | |
| Catalogue: | WAB 18 |
| Type: | Motet |
| Language: | Latin |
| Dedication: | Alois Dorfer |
| Composed: | |
| Vocal: | |
| Instrumental: | |
Latin: Iam lucis orto sidere (Now that the daylight fills the sky), WAB 18, is a motet composed by Anton Bruckner in 1868. The work is also known as In S. Angelum custodem (In the custody of the holy angel). Bruckner revised the composition in 1886.
Bruckner composed this motet in the summer of 1868 for the German: Schutzengelbruderschaft ("Guardian angel confraternity") of Wilhering Abbey. Bruckner dedicated it to Adolf Dorfer, the abbot of the abbey.[1] Bruckner set the music on the text written by Robert Riepl, one of the priests working at the abbey.[2] The motet was performed in the same year in the abbey.
Riepl's text is an adaptation of the text used by Orlande de Lassus.[3] Bruckner's original manuscript, which was stored in the abbey, is lost. A copy of it is stored in the archive of the Kremsmünster Abbey and two other copies are found in the Austrian National Library. The motet was published in 1868 by the Wilhering Abbey.[4]
In 1886, Bruckner made a new version of the motet for men's choir, which was published in the journal German: An den schönen blauen Donau, volume 1, no. 8, p. 240, F. Mamroth, Vienna.[5]
The German: Gesamtausgabe includes two settings of the 1868 version in volume XXI/24, and the 1886 setting in volume XXI/35.[6]
The first version in Phrygian mode, which Bruckner composed in 1868, is 24-bar long. Two settings are extant: a first with all eight verses of Riepl's text for choir a cappella, and a second with only one verse of a different text for choir and organ. The motet is a simple, modally inspired piece and homophonic throughout.
A new version of the motet in G minor, which Bruckner composed in 1886, uses verses 1, 2, 7 and 8 of Riepl's text and is set for choir a cappella.
| Teach me prudently the correct orderAnd admonish me to reach it! Reliably you come from HeavenAnd return as a messenger to it.Bring the offers, pains and tearsTo the King's court;Provide the Giver of talentsWith a small gift from the servant | Foster me, the unfortunate, embracingWith the sweetest consolation!Prompt me, the dormant,To the works of salvation | Blame me, when I hesitate,Give me the strength, when I fall! Radiant of the pure light,Which floods out from God,I am in search of holiness.Deliver me from stain,So that the white lilies of chastityBe not sullied. By your powerful right repelThe powers of the Devil to Hell;Destroy the pleasure of the flesh,Which arises from pride,So that, protected by your arms,I may be victorious. Break the inflexible obstinacyOf the merciless heart;I am oppressed by the burden of sin,Relieve it by your powerful handAnd spare me the punishment of the guiltyBy your prayers. In storms let hurry the timesThe temporal life will assault | Let me disdain the ephemeralAnd always seek the eternal,So that my noble soulWould remain in Heaven. When mortal struggle is imminent,Assist me, quavering, firmly!Guide me through the shades of death,Advocate me in front of the JudgeAnd on grounds of the acquittalMight I enjoy the eternal splendour | Amen. |
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Note: In addition to the Latin text, there is also a German version based on a text by Margarete Hemleben entitled Du Herr der Herren, in a presumably Protestant-oriented hymnal.[7]
A performance can be heard on YouTube: Choir Nomen Nescio Arnhem – Du Herr der Herren
The first recording occurred in 1976:
A few other recordings, all with deviations from the score:
Only one recording :
There are two recordings of this version: