ANTON BRUCKNER - Locus Iste

Circumstances of Performance (When, where and why)

• Written in 1869
• Piece of romantic music
  - warm
  - expressive melodies
  - dramatic contrasts of dynamics
  - some unusual melodic intervals (major 7th in soprano between bars 9+10)
  - chromatic passages
  - unprepared discords (alto, bar 22) 
• Composed for the Cathedral of Linz, Austria where was Bruckner was organist
• Motet
  - short piece of sacred music to be sung acapella by a choir
• Sung to celebrate the dedication to church
• First sung at opening of one of chapels in the new cathedral 

Tonality (Key)

• C major
• Passing modulation to G major in the first 4 bars, however they resolve back to C major

Performing Forces (Interesting and unusual features)

Texture (layers)

• Homophonic
• Imitation by inversion (bars 21-26)

Melody (Tune)

• Mainly syllabic, except (bar 40-42) melisma used from all parts on the words 'GOD'

Harmony (Chords)

• An imperfect cadence used (bar 11 + 29)
• A sustained perfect cadence ends the piece
• Phrygian cadence in (bars 15-16) along with anticipation on the first chord and suspension on the second 

Rhythm (Time Signature)

• 4/4 simple time, Allegro Moderato

Structure (Sections)

• Ternary form (ABA)
  - Section A - (bars 1-12)
  - Section B - (bars 12-29)
  - Section A1 - (first 10 bars repeated with extended end)