Te Deum, WAB 45

Unlike so many of his symphonies, Bruckner's Te Deum was an unqualified success from the very first. The composer even referred to the piece as "the pride of my life." Though composed in draft form in 1881, the work was not in its final form until 1884. The premiere took place in Vienna on May 2, 1885 with soli, chorus and two pianos (played by Robert Erben and Josef Schalk). The first performance with the intended orchestral accompaniment took place in the same city on January 10, 1886 under the baton of Hans Richter. The vocal score was prepared by Bruckner's friend Josef Schalk (who perfomed at the premiere in 1885) and first published by C.F. Peters is offered here in a digitally enhanced reprint featuring measure numbers, contents, and instrumentation. Matching orchestral parts offered and full score are now also available from Serenissima Music (92580).