Entsagen | |
---|---|
by Anton Bruckner | |
Key | B-flat major |
Catalogue | WAB 14 |
Form | Cantata |
Text | Oskar van Retwitz |
Language | German |
Composed | c. 1851 : St. Florian Abbey |
Dedication | Michael Arneth |
Vocal | SATB choir or quartet – ST soloist |
Instrumental | Organ or piano |
The cantata Entsagen (Renunciation), WAB 14, is a cantata composed by Anton Bruckner in c. 1851.
Bruckner composed the cantata for the name-day of Michael Arneth, the prior of the St. Florian Abbey. The piece was intended to be performed on Arneth's name-day. It is not known when it was performed.[1]
Why Bruckner has chosen this unsound text for the name-day of his Maecenas remains unexplained. Perhaps he has put so into music his resignation following his father's death or Aloisia Bogner's refusal of his proposal of marriage.[2][3]
The manuscript is stored in the archive of the St. Florian Abbey. A facsimile of the cantata was first issued in band II/2, pp. 47–58 of the Göllerich/Auer biography. The cantata was thereafter issued by Ludwig Daxsperger in 1956.[1] It is put in Band XXII/1 No. 2 of the Gesamtausgabe.[4]
The work is based on the poem Amaranth by Oskar von Redwitz.
O Maria! |
O Mary! |
The 126-bar long work in B♭ major is scored for SATB choir or quartet, soprano or tenor soloist, and organ (or piano).[1]
The cantata is a ‘spiritual song’ in three sections,[6] in ABA′ form:[3]
The outer sections are in the form of Protestant chorale,[6] with in bars 16–19 (Die treu'ste Mutter groß!) and 110–113 (In heimlicher Gefahr!) a direct quotation from "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden".[3]
The expressive middle section, a solo for soprano or tenor in F major, is with large intervals and strong modulation. The contrapuntal accompaniment by the organ (or piano) has some reminiscences of the baroque opera.[3]