Locus iste, WAB 23
Os justi, WAB 30
Ave Maria, WAB 6
Pange lingua, WAB 31
Der 22. Psalm, WAB 32
Der Lehrerstand, WAB 77 (arr. Franz Farnberger)
Herbstlied, WAB 73
Um Mitternacht, WAB 89
Erinnerung, WAB 117 (Franz Farnberger piano)
Mein Herz und deine Stimme, WAB 79
Im April, WAB 75
Vorspiel und Fuge C-Moll, WAB 131 (Klaus Sonnleitner organ)
Ave Maria, WAB 7
Trösterin Musik, WAB 88
Tota pulchra es, WAB 46

This year (2024) marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Anton Bruckner (1824-1896), and nothing could be more appropriate to celebrate the occasion than to revisit the composer's childhood and musical roots. The St. Florian Monastery is situated about 10 miles from Linz, Austria, and was founded during the ninth century. The St. Florianer Sängerknaben (St. Florian Boys Choir) originated all the way back in 1071. At one time, Anton Bruckner was one of its members and eventually was the abbey organist from 1845 to 1855, where his body is laid to rest, under the "Bruckner organ". From May 4th to October 27th 2024, St. Florian's Monastery is hosting a major exhibition to mark Anton Bruckner's 200th birthday.

On the subject of Bruckner, most everyone will mention his vast and powerful symphonies, but never seem to remember his humble early attempts as a composer of choral and organ works. Erinnerung, the title of this CD, stands for 'Remembrance', which in this case is highly pertinent to Bruckner's servile and modest early offerings to God.

The choral pieces on offer here all manifest this composer's devout attention to detail, structure, and most of all harmonic integrity. Traits that would stay with him throughout his life and eventually define Bruckner the symphonist. Performed here with genuine dilettante candor by the St. Florian Boy's Choir and Men's Choir, which lends the proceedings a truly aunthentic feel. Something particularly noticeable during the more complex, fugal elements within the Der 22. Psalm, where a slight lack of ensemble is present. The recording also includes instrumental pieces. Erinnerung (Remembrance) performed on a restored 1846 Bösendorfer (the Bruckner grand piano) by Franz Farnberger, and Vorspiel und Fuge performed on the famous Bruckner Organ by Klaus Sonnleitner.

The whole disc feels like the musical presentation during a reunion for the class of '49. 1849 that is. A must-have for all die-hard Bruckner enthusiasts!