Der deutsche Gesang, WAB 63
| Der deutsche Gesang | |
|---|---|
| Secular choral work by Anton Bruckner | |
Heimkehr der Deutschen aus der Schlacht im Teutoburger Walde by Paul Thumann
|
|
| Key | D minor |
| Catalogue | WAB 63 |
| Form | Patriotic song |
| Text | Erich Fels |
| Language | German |
| Composed | 29 April 1892: Vienna |
| Dedication | Erstes deutsch-akademisches Sängerfest |
| Published | 1911: Vienna |
| Vocal | TTBB choir |
| Instrumental | Brass band |
Der deutsche Gesang ("The German song"), WAB 63, is a patriotic song composed by Anton Bruckner in 1892, one year before Helgoland.
Bruckner composed Der deutsche Gesang on 29 April 1892 for the Erstes deutsch-akademisches Sängerfest (First German-academic singers' festival), which would happen in Salzburg in June 1892. The performance on 5 June under the baton of Raoul Mader was a "Kracher" (a huge success).
The original manuscript is stored in the archive of the Universitätssängerschaft 'Barden zu Wien' in Vienna. The song was first published in 1911 by Viktor Keldorfer (Universal Edition). The piece, also called Das deutsche Lied, was performed several times till the years 1930. It is put in Band XXIII/2, No. 35 of the Gesamtausgabe.
The work uses a text by Erich Fels, pseudonym of Aurelius Polzer.
Wie durch Bergtal dumpf grollt Donnergedröhn,
Wie der Sturmwind saust um waldige Höhn,
Wie die Meeresflut tost an klippigem Strand,
So schalle, so schmett’re, die Feinde zu schrecken,
Die schlafferen Brüder vom Schlafe zu wecken,
Der deutsche Gesang durchs gefährdete Land!
Like the droning thunder rumbles through the mountain valley,
Like the heavy gale speeds around the woody heights,
Like the sea flood roars at the cliffy coast,
So sound and blare, to frighten the enemies,
To wake up the lopped brothers from dormancy,
The German song through the threatened land!
The 87-bar long work in D minor, which shows affinities with the patriotic Germanenzug (1863), Sängerbund (1882) and Helgoland (1893), is scored for TTBB choir and brass band (4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones and contrabass-tuba).
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