- Helgoland (Bruckner)
"Helgoland" is a piece of music by
Anton Bruckner for largeorchestra andmale choir in the key of G minor, assigned the catalogue number WAB 71. The average performance duration ranges from 12 minutes to 15 minutes. The orchestra is comprised of 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones,tuba ,timpani ,cymbal & strings. If one takes into account the incomplete nature of the 9th symphony, "Helgoland" is the last complete work by Anton Bruckner.History
It was composed in
1893 for the Men's Choir ofVienna Called the "Vienna Male Singing Society" ("Wiener Männergesangvereins") in Volume XXII/8 of the "Bruckner Complete Edition"] to celebrate its50 th birthday. It is not known if Bruckner chose the subject of the work, or if he yielded on this point to satisfy the order. The sung text is a poem ofAugust Silberstein (Bruckner had already put the work of this author to music with "Germanenzug" in1864 ): the Saxon people of the island ofHeligoland are threatened by the invasion of the Romans, but divine intervention saves them. The piece is full of strength and enthusiasm, and—even more than his other works—carries the mark of the influence of Wagner. [http://musicweb-international.com/classrev/2005/Mar05/bruckner_barenboim_2564618912.htm MusicWeb review for Barenboim's BPO Bruckner cycle] ] The setting was a case of interest, as the island had been just returned byGreat Britain toGermany , in1890 .The work was first conducted on
8 October 1893 by Eduard Kremser. Of his 30 or so pieces for male choir, "Helgoland" is the only secular vocal work Bruckner thought worth bequeathing to the Vienna National Library. [http://www.8notes.com/biographies/bruckner.asp 8Notes.com Bruckner overview] ] It was first published in1899 . [http://assets.cambridge.org/97805210/08785/frontmatter/9780521008785_frontmatter.pdf The Cambridge Companion to Bruckner (PDF)] ] "Helgoland" is seldom played for such a mature work, and many noted Bruckneran conductors have neglected to record it, thoughDaniel Barenboim has recorded it twice, at the time of his playing the symphonies of Bruckner with theChicago Symphony Orchestra and again with theBerlin Philharmonic Orchestra .Text
Hoch auf der Nordsee, am fernesten Rand,
erscheinen die Schiffe, gleich Wolken gesenkt;
in wogenden Wellen, die Segel gespannt,
zum Eiland der Sachsen der Römer sich lenkt!O weh um die Stätten, so heilig gewahrt,
die friedlichen Hütten, von Bäumen umlaubt!
Es wissen die Siedler von feindlicher Fahrt!
Was Lebens noch wert, auch Leben sie raubt!So eilen die Zagen zum Ufer herbei,
was nützet durch Tränen zur Ferne geblickt;
da ringet den Besten vom Busen sich frei
die brünstige Bitte zum Himmel geschickt:Der du in den Wolken thronest,
den Donner in deiner Hand,
und über Stürmen wohnest,
sei du uns zugewandt!Lass toben grause Wetter,
des Blitzes Feuerrot,
die Feinde dort zerschmetter!
Allvater! Ein Erretter aus Tod und bitt'rer Not!
Vater!Und siehe, die Welle, die wogend sich warf,
sie steiget empor mit gischtenden Schaum,
es heben die Winde sich sausend und scharf,
die lichtesten Segel verdunkeln im Raum!Die Schrecken des Meeres sie ringen sich los,
zerbrechen die Maste, zerbersten den Bug;
Der flammenden Pfeile erblitzend Geschoss,
das trifft sie in Donners hinhallendem Flug.Nun, Gegner, Erbeuter, als Beute ihr bleibt,
gesunken zu Tiefen, geschleudert zum Sand,
das Wrackgut der Schiffe zur Insel nun treibt!
O Herrgott, dich preiset frei Helgoland!Discography
*Symphonica of London, Ambrosian Chorus,
Wyn Morris (coupled with Wagner's "Das Liebesmahl der Apostel"). [ADD] CD, Innovative Music Productions/Classics, 1993. "IMP PCD 1042", ASIN: "B00000DUKV" & "B000024K7X"
*Berliner Philharmoniker & Chorus,Daniel Barenboim (coupled with symphony no.1). [DDD] CD, Label: Elektra/Wea/Teldec,June 16 ,1998 . ASIN: B000006PL6. Also released in a boxed reissue of Barenboim's Berlin cycleJanuary 10 ,2006 , Warner Classics ASIN: B00076YOQ8
*Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus,Ruth Welting , Daniel Barenboim (coupled with symphony no.0 & Psalm 150). CD,October 6 ,1992 &May 1 ,1995 ,Deutsche Grammophon ASIN: B000025HM8, EAN: 028943725026References
External links
* [http://chorch.fc2web.com/e/text/brucknerh.html Helgoland text]
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