Anton Bruckner (1824-1896): Te Deum, WAB 45
for soloists, choir, orchestra and organ ad libitum
(arrangement for soli, choir, 2 pianos and timpani)

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Ein deutsches Requiem, op. 45
for soloists, choir, orchestra and organ
(arrangement for soli, choir, 2 pianos and timpani)

Anton Bruckner was a composer, organist and composition teacher. With the Te Deum, completed in 1884, he created one of his most important and most frequently performed works. By this time, he had already composed seven of his nine symphonies. In contrast to their very long durations, the Te Deum is almost concise at around 25 minutes. In keeping with the venerable text of the so-called Ambrosian Canticle from the 4th century, Bruckner's work also culminates in a great jubilation to the glory of God. He described his “Te Deum” as the “pride of my life” and gave it a dedication: “Ad maiorum Dei gloriam” - to the highest glory of God.

As early as 1854, Johannes Brahms began working on the themes that ultimately led him to his Requiem. Little is known about these beginnings. In 1867, the composer wrote: “I have now laid down my grief and it has been taken from me; I have completed my funeral music as a beatitude for those who suffer. I have now found consolation, as I have set it as a sign to those who mourn.” He called his work based on German Bible texts Ein deutsches Requiem. Only the first word of the Latin mass for the dead remained in the title. In this sense, the work fades away in silent remembrance.

Both works, each written by the composers for soloists, choir and orchestra, are performed today with instrumental scoring for two pianos and timpani. This type of performance was quite common during the lifetime of their creators in order to make the works known without an orchestra. Both composers allowed it and even did so themselves. The extraordinarily attractive instrumentation may lead to a special listening experience.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)