Romantic Period - post 1848

Image a)

Image b)

Image c)

Anton Bruckner (1824 Ansfelden/Upper Austria - 1896 Vienna) composed the Mass in e minor (1866-82) for the consecration of the Votive Chapel of the New Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Linz. Since the cathedral wasn't finished, the performance had to take place outdoors. Bruckner made do without the organ and strings and called instead only on wind instruments.

The musical example presents the opening of the Gloria in which the phrygian melodie of the soprano and alto choir continues the preceding intonation of the priest. This melody is contrasted by a chordal figure in the bassoon. (E. Stadler)

Pictures: a) Glass window of the Votive Chapel,

b) Linzer Fenster with Bruckner and Beethoven in the lower left third of the window,

c) large Rose Window of the Tower which is dedicated to the Musica sacra (St. Cecilia as the patron saint of church music, surrounded by the signs of the zodiac as a symbol of the harmony of the spheres and by angels with musical instruments.