Great art in small forms – Bruckner's smaller sacred works reveal a more personal side to the master symphonist and creator of large-scale orchestral masses. Throughout his life, Bruckner’s deep faith and dedication to the Catholic liturgy inspired him to write church music in smaller forms suitable for performance at Sunday service or in sacred concerts. The long phrases and shimmering sounds of Locus iste, the chromatic modulations and thrilling climaxes in Christus factus est (1884) and in Virga Jesse (1885), or the use of church modes in almost all the motets present a range of fascinating challenges to any choir.
In addition to the well-known motets, the choral collection includes smaller sacred works such as short mass settings (a cappella or with organ) and simple liturgical songs and hymns, some with organ or occasionally with trombones. In addition, the volume presents two somewhat longer works from Bruckner’s youth: a Magnificat and a setting of Psalm 23, both with piano accompaniment.
The Choral Collection Bruckner. Sacred Choral Music is an expanded new edition of the successful choral collection Anton Bruckner für Gottesdienst und Konzert (Sacred works for worship and concert, Carus 2.065).
Several indexes supplement the musical scores in the editionCHORLEITUNG with information on the works and their liturgical usability. An affordable volume (editionCHOR) is also available for purchase, as well as separate editions in print and digital form.