| German: Um Mitternacht | |
| Type: | Secular choral work |
| Image Upright: | 1.2 |
| Key: | F minor |
| Catalogue: | WAB 90 |
| Text: | Robert Prutz |
| Language: | German |
| Dedication: | Strassburger Männer-Sangverein |
| Vocal: | choir and tenor soloist |
German: Um Mitternacht (At midnight), 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 song on the same text.
Bruckner composed the song on a text of Robert Prutz on 11 February 1886, for the German: Strassburger Männer-Sangverein|italic=no (Men's singing association of Strasbourg). The piece was performed on 15 April 1886 by the Liedertafel Frohsinn in the German: Städischer Volksgartensalon|italic=no. Because of performance difficulties (humming voices and many modulations), the choir was enhanced by a harp.[1] [2]
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 (1911) by Viktor Keldorfer (Universal Edition), together with the other setting (Um Mitternacht, WAB 89) and the other "midnight-song" Mitternacht, WAB 80.[2] [1] It is issued in Band XXIII/2, No. 33 of the German: Gesamtausgabe.[3]
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 choir and tenor soloist. Strophe 1 is sung by the choir. Strophe 2 (German: In süßen unbelauschten Tränen, bar 31) and strophe 3 are sung by the tenor soloist with accompaniment of humming voices. Strophe 4 (German: So tönet oft das stille Läuten, bar 58) is sung by the choir.[2]
Um Mitternacht, WAB 90, is less popular than the previous setting WAB 89. A selection among the few recordings: