Zur Vermählungsfeier, WAB 54 explained

Zur Vermählungsfeier
Translation:For the wedding ceremony
Key:D major
Catalogue:WAB 54
Type:Secular choral work
Form:Wedding music
Language:German
Dedication:Wedding of
Vocal: choir

("For the wedding ceremony"), WAB 54, is a wedding song composed by Anton Bruckner on 27 November 1878.

History

Bruckner composed the setting for the wedding ceremony of his landlord Anton Ölzelt Ritter von Newin with Amalie Edler von Wieser. The piece was intended to be performed during the ceremony in the church of the Klosterneuburg Abbey. However, the ceremony did not occur, because the groom was a Protestant.[1] [2]

The original manuscript is stored in the archive of the in Vienna. It was first published in the yearbook of the Klosterneuburg Abbey (Vienna & Leipzig) in 1910. It has been re-edited by Wöss in 1921 together with the Ave Regina caelorum, WAB 8.[1] It is put in Band XXIII/2, No. 30 of the German: Gesamtausgabe.[3]

It is not known when the piece was performed first. A performance by the Hilliard Ensemble occurred on 15 September 1993 during the 20th Brucknerfest.[1] [2]

Text

The work sets a text by Heinrich von der Mattig.

Two hearts have found each otherAnd bound together in marriage.The hand of the Priest has blessedThe couple, establishing their band of love.

If the spirit of truth has united youAnd you understood the duty of clarity,Then the sanctuary of marriage isA heavenly Elysium.

So may for your whole lifeHeaven give you holiness and blessing,Also my prayer calls today loudly:God bless groom and bride

Music

The 64-bar long work in D major is scored for a men's choir a cappella.[1]

Discography

There is a single recording of :

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. C. van Zwol, p. 728
  2. U. Harten, p. 503
  3. http://www.mwv.at/TextBruckner/Katalog/liederWelt.htm Gesamtausgabe – Weltliche Chöre