| Der Abendhimmel | |
|---|---|
| Secular choral work by Anton Bruckner | |
 Lunar crepuscular rays | |
| Key | F major |
| Catalogue | WAB 56 |
| Text | Joseph Christian von Zedlitz |
| Language | German |
| Composed | 6 December 1866: Linz |
| Dedication | Niederösterreichischer Sängerbund |
| Published | 1902: Vienna |
| Vocal | TTBB choir |
Der Abendhimmel ("The evening sky"), 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.
Bruckner composed this second setting "evening song" Der Abendhimmel on 6 December 1866. He used again the text of Joseph Christian von Zedlitz, which he had already used for the first setting in 1862. Bruckner dedicated the song to Niederösterreichischer Sängerbund (singers association of Lower Austria). [1] [2] The piece was performed first by the Wiener Männergesang-Verein (men's singer society of Vienna) on 17 December 1898. [1]
The original manuscript is stored in the archive of Österreichische Nationalbibliothek . [1] [3] It was first issued as Zwei Männerchöre by Doblinger, Vienna in 1902 together with the Vaterlandslied , WAB 92 "O könnt' ich dich beglücken". [1] [3] The work is issued in Band XXIII/2, No. 19 of the Gesamtausgabe. [4]
The 38-bar long work in F major is scored for TTBB choir a cappella. [3] This second setting of Der Abendhimmel exhibits several modulations and rests, which are characteristic of Bruckner's later melodies. [1]
A selection among the few recordings of Der Abendhimmel, WAB 56:
Trauungschor, WAB 49, is a wedding song composed by Anton Bruckner on 8 January 1865.
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.
The Volkslied, WAB 94, is a patriotic song composed by Anton Bruckner in 1882 for a competition for a Hymne für das Deutsche Volk in Österreich.
Abendzauber, WAB 57, is a song composed by Anton Bruckner in 1878.
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.
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.
Sternschnuppen, WAB 73, is a song, which Anton Bruckner composed for his own men's voice quartet in c. 1848 during his stay in the Sankt Florian.
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.
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.
