Throughout almost all his composing life, Anton Bruckner composed about thirty Weltliche Chorwerke (secular choral works) and seven Wahlsprüche (mottoes) on German-language texts, the first in 1843 and the last in 1893. Many of these works including the mottoes, often with a patriotic slant, were written for Liedertafel (men's choral societies), above all Frohsinn and Sängerbund.[1] Others were composed for private occasions, such as weddings, funerals, birthdays or name-days, being dedicated to friends and acquaintances of the composer.[2] The large majority of these works are set for men's choir, sometimes with soloists. Only two choral works (WAB 64 and WAB 66) and one motto (WAB 95.1) are set for mixed choir.
The discography of Bruckner's Weltliche Chorwerke is much smaller than that of his religious works. Most Weltliche Chorwerke were much later issued and are, as a result of it, still quite unknown.[7] Except Trösterin Musik, WAB 88, which is quite popular and has been recorded about 30 times,[8] the Weltliche Chorwerke are rarely performed. One third of these works (8Weltliche Chorwerke and 4 mottoes) have not yet been commercially recorded.
Four recordings are dedicated to Bruckner's Weltliche Chorwerke:
A compilation of 5 lieder and 30 Weltliche Chorwerke (Bruckner – Lieder and Secular Choral Music) in the chronological order of the Gesamtausgabe Band XXIII/1: Lieder für Gesang und Klavier, and Band XXIII/2: Weltliche Chorwerke, is available in the Bruckner Archive: Charter Oak COR-2178 (set of 2 CDs).[9]
