Pange lingua, WAB 31
1835 motet composed by Anton Bruckner
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Pange lingua (Tell, my tongue), WAB 31, is a sacred motet composed by Anton Bruckner in c. 1835. It is a setting of the first strophe of the Latin hymn Pange lingua for the celebration of Corpus Christi.
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| Pange lingua | |
|---|---|
| Motet by Anton Bruckner | |
Autograph manuscript of the work (1891 version) | |
| Key | C major |
| Catalogue | WAB 31 |
| Text | Pange lingua |
| Language | Latin |
| Composed | |
| Dedication | Celebration of Corpus Christi |
| Published | 1927: Regensburg |
| Vocal | SATB choir |
History
Bruckner composed the motet in c. 1835 when, as eleven-year-old boy, he was studying by Johann Baptist Weiß in Hörsching.[1][2][3] It is not known whether it was performed at that time. In 1891, towards the end of his life, Bruckner "restored" this beloved very first composition.[4]
The first version of the work, the original manuscript of which is lost, was found as a transcription by Franz Bayer, Steyr. The transcription of the first version and the manuscript of the 1891 version are stored in the archive of the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek.[1][2]
The second version of the motet was first published as a facsimile in 1927 by Max Auer in his book Anton Bruckner as Kirchenmusiker.[5] The first version was first published in band II/1, p. 228 of the Göllerich/Auer biography.[1][2] The two versions are put in Band XXI/1 and 39 of the Gesamtausgabe.[6]
Music
The work is a setting of 28 bars in C major of the first verse of the Pange lingua for mixed choir a cappella.
On 19 April 1891 Bruckner made some "restoration" of the work. The differences between the two versions are small, mainly a different articulation in bars 15 and 22, and a reharmonisation of bars 25-27.
Discography
First version
There are two recordings of the first version:
- Philipp von Steinäcker, Vocalensemble Musica Saeculorum, Bruckner: Pange lingua - Motetten - CD: Fra Bernardo FB 1501271, 2015
- Markus Stumpner, Erinnerung - Bruckner in St. Florian, Sankt Florianer Sängerknaben – CD: Solo Musica SM 450, 2024
Second version
There is a single recording of the 1891 version:
- Jonathan Brown, Ealing Abbey Choir, Anton Bruckner: Sacred Motets – CD: Herald HAVPCD 213, 1997
- Note: A live performance by Philipp von Steinäcker is available in the Bruckner Archive.[7]