Portuguese Symphony Orchestra and São Carlos National Theatre Choir

This version of the hymn Te Deum laudamus, a clear demonstration of the vehemence of Anton Bruckner’s Faith, was premiered in January 1886 at the Vienna Musikverein. Gustav Mahler, a great admirer of his, wrote in his copy of the score: ‘for choir, soloists, orchestra and organ ad libitum and for seekers of God and chastened hearts’. Bruckner considered the work the ‘pride of his life’. The beginning immediately places us in an intense environment, with the choir in unison proclaiming the praise of God in a strong tone, an environment that alternates with peaceful sections and others that are almost apocalyptic.

The other work on the program is Leoš Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass, premiered in Brno at the end of 1927 and considered one of the most notable and crucial religious works of the first half of the 20th century. The work follows the Ordinary of the Catholic Mass, but it uses the ancient Slavic language instead of the Latin. Like Bruckner’s work, it begins with an exuberant demonstration of Faith, musically embodied by triumphant fanfares dominated by brass. With this work, Janáček attempted to celebrate Slavic culture.

Programme
Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) Glagolitic Mass
Úvod – Einleitung – Introduction
   Gospodi pomiluj – Herr, erbarme dich – Kyrie
   Slava – Ehre – Gloria
   Vĕruju – Ich glaube – Credo
   Svet – Heilig – Sanctus
   Agneče Božij – Lamm Gottes – Angus Dei
   Varhany solo – Orgel solo – (Postludium)
   Intrada (Exodus)

Anton Bruckner (1824-1896) Te Deum, WAB 45
   Te deum laudamus – Allegro
   Te ergo quaesumus – Moderato
   Aeterna fac – Allegro, Feierlich, mit Kraft
   Salvum fac populum tuum – Moderato
   In te, Domine, speravi – Mäßig bewegt

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