| Abendzauber | |
|---|---|
| Secular choral work by Anton Bruckner | |
 The Wolfgangsee in the evening | |
| Key | G-flat major |
| Catalogue | WAB 57 |
| Text | Heinrich von der Mattig |
| Language | German |
| Composed | 13 January 1878: Vienna |
| Dedication | Carl Almeroth |
| Published | 1911: Vienna |
| Vocal | TTBB choir, "yodelers", and tenor or baritone soloist |
| Instrumental | Four horns |
Abendzauber (Evening magic), WAB 57, is a song composed by Anton Bruckner in 1878.
Bruckner composed the song on a text of Heinrich von der Mattig on 13 January 1878. He dedicated it to Carl Almeroth. The piece was not performed during the composer's life, because of its performance difficulties (humming voices). It was first performed in 1911 by Viktor Keldorfer with the Wiener Männergesang-Verein (Vienna men's choral association), and was thereafter published by the Universal Edition. [1] It was very popular with Austrian choirs during the interbellum.
The work, of which the original manuscript is stored in the archive of the Wiener Männergesang-Verein, [1] is issued in Band XXIII/2, No. 29 of the Gesamtausgabe. [2]
Abendzauber uses a text by Heinrich von der Mattig.
Der See träumt zwischen Felsen, | The lake dreams between rocks, |
The 82-bar long work in G-flat major is scored for TTBB choir, tenor or baritone soloist. Similarly to Das hohe Lied, the first part (58 bars) is sung by the soloist with an accompaniment of humming voices. From "Wer könnte je vergessen", the melody is taken over by the choir. In addition, four horns are figuring Alphorns, and a Ferngesang (chant from a distance) of female voices is figuring yodelers. [1]
The song, which is in the line of Mitternacht, WAB 80, and the two settings of Um Mitternacht (WAB 89 and 90), is a remarkable example of nature imagery. [3] Bruckner's specialist Ernst Kurth considers this original, somewhat odd piece as one Bruckner's most romantic works. [1]
The first recording of Abendzauber was by Bryan Fairfax, with Alfred Orda (tenor), the BBC Chorus and the horns of the London Symphony Orchestra, Szymanowski - Bruckner - Schumann. A Choral Anthology – CD: Symposium Records 1423 (4 September 1960)
A selection of the few other recordings:
Zur Vermählungsfeier, WAB 54, is a wedding song composed by Anton Bruckner on 27 November 1878.
Nachruf ("Obituary"), WAB 81a, is a song composed by Anton Bruckner in 1877 in memory of Joseph Seiberl. The song is better known as its 1886 reissue as Trösterin Musik, WAB 81b.
Der deutsche Gesang, WAB 63, is a patriotic song composed by Anton Bruckner in 1892, one year before Helgoland.
Das hohe Lied, WAB 74, is a song for double men's choir and three soloists, which Anton Bruckner composed in 1876 on a text by Heinrich von der Mattig.
Um Mitternacht, WAB 89, is a song composed by Anton Bruckner in 1864.
Um Mitternacht, 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.
Mitternacht (Midnight), WAB 80, is a song composed by Anton Bruckner in 1869.
"Ständchen" ("Serenade"), WAB 84.2, is a Lied composed by Anton Bruckner in c. 1846.
Der Abendhimmel, WAB 55, is a song composed by Anton Bruckner in 1862.
Der Abendhimmel, WAB 56, is a song composed by Anton Bruckner in 1866. It is the second setting of the work. In 1862, Bruckner had already composed a first setting of the song for men's voice quartet.
Herbstlied, 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.
Träumen und Wachen, WAB 87, is a song, which Anton Bruckner composed in 1890 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Franz Grillparzer's birth.
Du bist wie eine Blume, WAB 64, is a song, which Anton Bruckner composed in 1861.
"An dem Feste", WAB 59a, is a song composed by the 19-year-old Anton Bruckner in 1843 during his stay as schoolteacher's assistant in Kronstorf. In 1893, near the end of his life, Bruckner modified slightly its music score and let Karl Ptak put another text on the song, with as title "Tafellied", WAB 59c.
Der Lehrerstand, WAB 77, is a song composed by Anton Bruckner in c. 1847 during his stay in Sankt Florian.
Des Dankes Wort sei mir vergönnt, WAB 62, is a song composed by Anton Bruckner during his stay in Sankt Florian.
Vaterlandslied, WAB 92, is a patriotic song composed by Anton Bruckner during his stay in Linz.
Vaterländisch Weinlied, WAB 91, is a song composed by Anton Bruckner in 1866 during his stay in Linz.
Im April, WAB 75 is a lied composed by Anton Bruckner in c. 1865.
