Tantum ergo, WAB 43

For the other settings of the same text by the composer, see Tantum ergo, WAB 32; Four Tantum ergo, WAB 41; Tantum ergo, WAB 42; and Tantum ergo, WAB 44.

Tantum ergo ("Let us raise"), WAB 43, is the second of eight settings of the hymn Tantum ergo composed by Anton Bruckner in c. 1845.

Tantum ergo
Motet by Anton Bruckner
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Key	A major
Catalogue	WAB 43
Form	Hymn
Text	Tantum ergo
Language	Latin
Composed	c. 1845:
Published	1932 (1932): Regensburg
Vocal	SATB choir
Instrumental	Organ

History

Bruckner composed the motet in the fall of 1845 at the end of his stay in Kronstorf or in 1846 at the beginning of his stay in St. Florian Abbey. The original manuscript, on which the Chorale Dir, Herr, dir will ich mich ergeben is also found, is stored in the archive of the abbey. Two copies of the manuscript are also stored in the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek.

The motet was first published in band II/2, pp. 116–118 of the Göllerich/Auer biography.^[1] The full version is put in Band XXI/8 of the Gesamtausgabe.^[2]

Music

The work of 36 bars in A major is scored for SATB choir and organ.

Joseph Anton Pfeiffer, the organist of Seitenstetten Abbey, to whom Bruckner gave the composition for critical analysis, found Bruckner "ein ächtes musikalisches Genie" ("a real musical genius").^[1]

Discography

There are three recordings of this second setting of Tantum ergo:

• Jonathan Brown, Ealing Abbey Choir, Anton Bruckner: Sacred Motets – CD: Herald HAVPCD 213, 1997 (without organ accompaniment)
• Thomas Kerbl, Chorvereinigung Bruckner 09, Anton Bruckner Chöre/Klaviermusik – CD: LIVA 034 (first strophe only)
• Sigvards Klava, Latvian Radio Choir, Bruckner: Latin Motets, 2019 – CD Ondine OD 1362 (first strophe only)