Antiphon (Bruckner)

From Wind Repertory Project
Anton Bruckner

Anton Bruckner (arr. Philip Gordon)


General Info

Year: 1884 / 1976
Duration: c. 5:13
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Choir and organ
Publisher: Theodore Presser
Cost: Score and Parts - Out of print.

For availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

A beautiful, rich-textured, harmonically subtle expressive work in slow tempo, superbly scored. The opening section is scored for brass alone, beginning with a soft chorale-like phrase. This leads to another chorale phrase, more dramatic in character, with abrupt change from soft to loud, gradually fading into a quiet cadence form which the woodwinds emerge. The rest of the work deals with these ideas, reaching an intense climax for full band with brass in chorale style and woodwinds playing embroidery. The mood subsides to one of hushed mystery, in transparent scoring.

- Program Note from Music for Concert Band


Anton Bruckner was known in the concert hall for his symphonies, but by occupation was a church organist. This antiphon arranged for band is one of several short choral pieces that Bruckner composed for church. The subject of the underlying text is, “His name is above all names.”

Brucker marked this composition “Misterioso,” not in the sense of “mysterious” as puzzling or obscure, but in the theological sense as applied to things beyond human comprehension. In its massive sonorous phrases and its contrasting passages based on individual strands of melody, this piece looks back to the sixteenth century and the church music of Victoria.

- Program Note from University of Tennessee Concert Band concert program, 16 November 2021


Media

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State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Krienes, J.; Hansbrough, R. (2014). Music for Concert Band: A Selective Annotated Guide to Band Literature. Meredith Music Publications: Delray Beach, Fla.; pp. 44.
  • Bruckner, A.; Gordon, P. (1976). Antiphon for Concert Band [score]. Theodore Presser: Bryn Mawr, Pa.