ANTON BRUCKNER Ecce sacerdos magnus
“ It is no common mortal who speaks to us in this music .” – Bruckner
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Born 1824 in Ansfelden , Austria ; died 1896 in Vienna , Austria
• Bruckner was born the eldest of 11 children in a rural town in Austria .
• As a child , Bruckner was sent to a monastery where he became a choirboy and studied violin and organ .
• After studying music theory through mail correspondence with a prominent music theorist in Vienna , the mostly self-taught composer began writing music at 37 years old .
• Bruckner wrote masses , sacred choral works , and chamber music throughout his life , but he is most famous for his great symphonies , which helped define late Austro-German Romanticism .
THE WORLD AT A GLANCE
1885
MUSIC Brahms ’ Symphony No . 4
ABOUT THE PIECE
• Ecce sacerdos magnus is a sacred motet written by Bruckner in 1885 when he was 61 .
• The work was composed at the request of Johann Burgstaller to be performed at the Linz Cathedral on the 100th anniversary of the diocese ’ s founding . However , the work never ended up being performed publicly until after Bruckner ’ s death .
• The piece ’ s title translates to “ Behold the Great Priest ” and showcases the composer ’ s use of rich textures and harmonies .
MEDICINE The first successful appendectomy is performed
POP CULTURE The first rollercoaster is patented
HISTORY The Statue of Liberty arrives in NY
BSO SESSIONS | MAY-JUNE 2021
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