Two Aequali (Zwei Aequale), originally scored for three trombones, aequale being understood as piece for several "equal" voices or instruments, are relatively popular among Bruckner’s chamber works, especially among trombonists, written for the purpose of accompanying a funeral ceremony. A striking characteristic of these pieces, encountered also in other Bruckner works, e.g. Chorale, Iam lucis, is that phrases are uneven, extended by fermatas, as if to wait for the sound to reverberate.
In Aequale II, the bass trombone is missing. The present arrangement features a brand new completion of this missing part. I have also prepared a full score of this version for 3 trombones with a comprehensive introduction and piano arrangement under Creative Commons licence.
Listen to Aequale I
Listen to Aequale II
Iam lucis orto sidere (“Star of light has just risen”) is a hymn also known as In S. Angelum custodem (“In the custody of holy angels”), based on the Phrygian mode. It exists in three versions; the first and second (1868) in E minor for four-part mixed choir, the second additionally with organ accompaniment, and the third (1886) transposed to G minor for male choir.
This arrangement is based on the third version. In each version, the words of the last verse end with ‘Amen’ but no music was supplied by the composer. So the last two chords do not come from Bruckner but from the arranger.
Listen to Iam lucis
Chorale
The Chorale, dated 1844-45, is entitled from its first words ‘Dir, Herr, dir will ich mich ergeben’ (‘To you, Lord, I will surrender myself’). It consists of sections clearly separated by fermatas. The penultimate section is composed of two contrasting parts, major and minor, which are assigned parallel words: “Ich lebe dir” (‘I live for you’) and “Ich sterbe dir” (‘I die for you’).
Listen to Chorale
Am Grabe
Am Grabe (‘At the grave’) is a highly original and expressive composition for male choir written in 1861. Although classified as a secular work with the text in German, it is close to sacred works in terms of the topic, spirit, character and expression. It exists in two versions. The second comes from a manuscript which is not Bruckner’s autograph but includes dynamic signs in his hand and is worth getting to know for intriguing revisions affecting voice-leading and harmony.
Listen to Am Grabe (1st version)
Listen to Am Grabe (2nd version)