Helgoland (Bruckner)
Helgoland | |
---|---|
by Anton Bruckner | |
The composer, c. 1860 | |
Key | G minor |
Catalogue | WAB 71 |
Form | Patriotic cantata |
Dedication | Men's Choir of Vienna |
Performed | 8 October 1893 – Hofburg Palace, Vienna |
Published | 1893 |
Recorded | 1977Wyn Morris, Ambrosian Male Voice Chorus and Symphonica of London | –
Movements | 7 |
Vocal | TTBB choir |
Instrumental | Orchestra |
Helgoland is a secular cantata by Anton Bruckner for large orchestra and male 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 composed of 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, contrabass tuba, timpani, cymbal and strings. Since Bruckner did not complete the 9th symphony, Helgoland is his last complete work. Duration: about 13 minutes.[1]
History
Helgoland was composed in 1893 for the Men's Choir of Vienna[2] to celebrate its 50th birthday. The lyrics were written by August Silberstein, who had already provided a poem Bruckner set to music (Germanenzug in 1864).
The text focuses on the Saxon people of the island of Heligoland who are threatened by the invasion of the Romans, but divine intervention saves them. The piece is full of strength and enthusiasm, and carries the mark of Wagner's influence.[3] The setting was a case of interest, as the island had just been returned by Great Britain to Germany in 1890.
One year earlier, Bruckner had already composed another, shorter patriotic work, Das deutsche Lied (WAB 63), that was premiered at the First German Academic Song Festival in Salzburg in June 1892.
Helgoland was first conducted on 8 October 1893 by Eduard Kremser. Of all his pieces for male choir, Helgoland is the only secular vocal work Bruckner thought worth bequeathing to the Vienna National Library.[4] It was first published in 1899.[5]
Text
German | English |
---|---|
Hoch auf der Nordsee, am fernesten Rand |
|
O weh um die Stätten, so heilig gewahrt, |
Alack! The holy lieus, hitherto preserved, |
So eilen die Zagen zum Ufer herbei, |
Even those who hesitated now rush to the shore |
Der du in den Wolken thronest, |
Thou who art enthroned in the clouds, |
Lass toben grause Wetter, |
Let dreadful storms bluster, |
Und siehe, die Welle, die wogend sich warf, |
And look, the wave, that was billowing |
Nun, Gegner, Erbeuter, als Beute ihr bleibt, |
Now, enemy, looter, you stay as a loot, |
Discography
Helgoland is seldom played for such a mature work, and many noted Brucknerian conductors have neglected to record it, though Daniel Barenboim has done it twice, at the time of his playing the symphonies of Bruckner with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and again with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
There are only four recordings of the work:
- Symphonica of London, Ambrosian Chorus, Wyn Morris (coupled with Wagner's Das Liebesmahl der Apostel), 1977. [ADD] CD, Innovative Music Productions/Classics, 1993. IMP PCD 1042; Klassic Haus KHCD-2012-043 (coupled with Symphony No. 6 by Heinz Bongartz)
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Daniel Barenboim, 1979 (coupled with symphony no.0 & Psalm 150). CD, October 6, 1992 & May 1, 1995, Deutsche Grammophon
- Berliner Philharmoniker & Chorus, Daniel Barenboim, 1992 (coupled with symphony no.1). [DDD] CD, Label: Elektra/Wea/Teldec, June 16, 1998. Also released in a boxed reissue of Barenboim's Berlin cycle January 10, 2006, Warner Classics
- Alberto Hold-Garrido, Choruses for Male Voices and Orchestra, Lund Student Singers & Malmö Opera Orchestra, CD Naxos: 8572871, 2012
References
- ↑ Anton Bruckner - Critical Complete Edition
- ↑ Called the Vienna Male Singing Society (Wiener Männergesangvereins) in Volume XXII/8 of the Bruckner Complete Edition
- ↑ MusicWeb review for Barenboim's BPO Bruckner cycle
- ↑ 8Notes.com Bruckner overview
- ↑ The Cambridge Companion to Bruckner (PDF)
External links
- Helgoland text
- Discography by Hans Roelofs
- A not-issued recording by Takashi Asahina can be heard on John Berky's website: Helgoland by T. Asahina with the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra (1987)