O Justi (414.01)

O Justi (414.01) Programme Notes Josef Anton Bruckner (1824–1896) was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets, many of which are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism. Unlike other musical radicals such as Richard Wagner, Bruckner showed extreme humility before other musicians. Anton Bruckner was born in Ansfelden a suburb of Linz. Bruckners ancestors were farmers and craftsmen; their history can be traced to as far back as the 16th century. Unlike his romantic symphonies, most of Bruckners choral works are often conservative and contrapuntal in style. Bruckner learned to play the organ early as a child and was a renowned organist in his day, impressing audiences in France in 1869, and England in 1871, giving six recitals on a new Henry Willis organ at Royal Albert Hall in London and five more at the Crystal Palace. Though he wrote no major works for the organ his improvisation sessions sometimes yielded ideas for the symphonies. He taught organ performance at the Conservatory; among his students were Gustav Mahler. Biographers generally characterise Bruckner as a "simple" provincial man. Many biographers have complained that there is huge discrepancy between Bruckners life and his work, for example "his life doesnt tell anything about his work, and his work doesnt tell anything about his life,” Anecdotes abound as to Bruckners dogged pursuit of his chosen craft and his humble acceptance of the fame that eventually came his way. Once, after a rehearsal of his Fourth Symphony in 1881, the well-meaning Bruckner tipped the conductor Hans Richter: "When the symphony was over," Richter related, "Bruckner came to me, his face beaming with enthusiasm and joy. I felt him press a coin into my hand. Take this he said, and drink a glass of beer to my health." Richter, of course, accepted the coin and wore it on his watch-chain. The Bruckner Conservatory in Linz, an institution of higher education is named after him as is the Bruckner Orchester also in Linz. Os Justi is a sacred motet composed in 1879. Os Justi ("The mouth of the righteous") is a Gregorian chant used as gradual or chant sung in the Liturgical celebration of the Eucharist. Bruckner composed this gradual on 18th July 1879 and dedicated it to Ignaz Traumihler, choirmaster of St. Florian Abbey. The first performance occurred on the 28th August 1879 under the baton of Traumihler, with Bruckner at the organ. The text of the motet is two verses of Psalm 37. Traumihler was a fervent supporter of the Cecilian Movement; the reason why Bruckner composed this motet in Lydian mode, without any alteration in the key and with a large use of unaltered chords.