Iam lucis orto sidere, WAB 18

Iam lucis orto sidere (Now that the daylight fills the sky), WAB 18, is a motet composed by Anton Bruckner in 1868. The work is also known as In S. Angelum custodem (In the custody of the holy angel). Bruckner revised the composition in 1886.

History
Bruckner composed this motet in the summer of 1868 for the Schutzengelbruderschaft ("Guardian angel confraternity") of Wilhering Abbey. Bruckner dedicated it to Adolf Dorfer, the abbot of the abbey. Bruckner set the music on the text written by Robert Riepl, one of the priests working at the abbey. The motet was performed in the same year in the abbey.

Riepl's text is an adaptation of the text used by Orlande de Lassus. Bruckner's original manuscript, which was stored in the abbey, is lost. A copy of it is stored in the archive of the Kremsmünster Abbey and two other copies are found in the Austrian National Library. The motet was published in 1868 by the Wilhering Abbey.

In 1886, Bruckner made a new version of the motet for men's choir, which was published in the journal An den schönen blauen Donau, volume 1, no. 8, p. 240, F. Mamroth, Vienna.

The Gesamtausgabe includes two settings of the 1868 version in volume XXI/24, and the 1886 setting in volume XXI/35.

Music
The first version in Phrygian mode, which Bruckner composed in 1868, is 24-bar long. Two settings are extant: a first with all eight verses of Riepl's text for SATB choir a cappella, and a second with only one verse of a different text for SATB choir and organ. The motet is a simple, modally inspired piece and homophonic throughout.

A new version of the motet in G minor, which Bruckner composed in 1886, uses verses 1, 2, 7 and 8 of Riepl's text and is set for TTBB choir a cappella.

Text of the first setting (Robert Riepl)


Dignare, custos Angele! Mentis fugare nubila Et alma ferre lumina; Me recta prudens edoce, Ur exsequar, me commone.
 * Iam lucis orto sidere

Fidus venis qui coelitus Illuc redisque nuntius! Preces, labores, lacrimas Ad Regis aulam perferas; Donum clientis parvulum Reddas Datori munerum.

Miserrimum dulcissimo Blandus fove solacio; Salutis ad negotia Me dormitantem concita. Quando reluctor, argue; Vires labanti suffice.

Puro refulgens lumine, Quod emicat de Numine! Me sanctitatis aemulum A labe serves integrum. Ne castitatis candida Contaminentur lilia.

Firma repelle dextera Vim daemonis sub tartara; Carnis retunde fomitem, Superbiae propaginem, Tuis ut armis protegar Palmamque victor consequar.

Cordis rigentis ferream Perfringe pertinaciam; Culpae gravatum sacrina Manu potenti subleva Poenasque sonti debitas Fac suplicans ut arceas.

Fuga ruant quum turbida Mortalis aevi tempora: Caduca fac me temnere, Aeterna semper quaerere, Ut heareat mens fervida Sublimis inter sidera.

Urgente pugna lugubri Fortis paventi subveni; Per mortis umbram dirige Defende coram Judice Laetaque de sententia Fruar perenni gloria. Amen. Now that daylight fills the sky, Let it, O Guardian Angel, Banish unclear minds And bring the nourishing light! Teach me prudently the correct order And admonish me to reach it!
 * style="padding-left:2em;"|

Reliably you come from Heaven And return as a messenger to it. Bring the offers, pains and tears To the King's court; Provide the Giver of talents With a small gift from the servant!

Foster me, the unfortunate, embracing With the sweetest consolation! Prompt me, the dormant, To the works of salvation! Blame me, when I hesitate, Give me the strength, when I fall!

Radiant of the pure light, Which floods out from God, I am in search of holiness. Deliver me from stain, So that the white lilies of chastity Be not sullied.

By your powerful right repel The powers of the Devil to Hell; Destroy the pleasure of the flesh, Which arises from pride, So that, protected by your arms, I may be victorious.

Break the inflexible obstinacy Of the merciless heart; I am oppressed by the burden of sin, Relieve it by your powerful hand And spare me the punishment of the guilty By your prayers.

In storms let hurry the times The temporal life will assault! Let me disdain the ephemeral And always seek the eternal, So that my noble soul Would remain in Heaven.

When mortal struggle is imminent, Assist me, quavering, firmly! Guide me through the shades of death, Advocate me in front of the Judge And on grounds of the acquittal Might I enjoy the eternal splendour! Amen.
 * }

Text of the second setting


O Angele piissime! Caecas mentis caligines Splendore tuo dissipes; Quae recta sunt, me edoce, Ut faciam, me admone. My holy angel, By your brightness Draw the darkness from my soul; Teach me the right way And advise me to follow it.
 * Iam lucis orto sidere
 * style="padding-left:2em;"| Now that the daylight fills the sky,
 * }

Note: In addition to the Latin text, there is also a German version based on a text by Margarete Hemleben entitled Du Herr der Herren, in a presumably Protestant-oriented hymnal.

Lass leuchten uns dein Angesicht, Daß Deiner Liebe heller Schein Verwandle unser irdisch Sein, Zu tragen durch der Erde Nacht Dein Licht, Dein Leben, Deine Macht. Let us shine your face, That your love's shine brightly Transform our earthly being, To carry through the earth's night Your light, your life, your power.
 * Du Herr der Herren, Jesus Christ,
 * style="padding-left: 2em;"| O Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ,
 * }

A performance can be heard on YouTube: Choir Nomen Nescio Arnhem – Du Herr der Herren

Selected discography
The first recording occurred in 1976:
 * Mathias Breitschaft, Limburger Domsingknaben, Bruckner: 9 Motets/Palestrina: 8 Motets – LP: Carus FSM 53118 (1st verse of the 1st setting)

First setting
A few other recordings, all with deviations from the score:
 * Balduin Sulzer, Chor des Musikgymnasiums Linz, Musik aus der Stifterstraße – LP: Extempore AD-80.01/2, 1980 (verses 1, 2 & 3)
 * Robert Jones, Choir of St. Bride's Church, Bruckner: Motets – CD: Naxos 8.550956, 1994 (all 8 verses)
 * Lionel Sow, Choeur de Filles Caecilia & Maîtrise des Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Christophe de Javel, Johannes Brahms – Anton Bruckner Jardins secrets – CD: Studio SM Collection Blanche D3029, 2004 (verses 1, 2 & 3)

Second setting
Only one recording :
 * Balduin Sulzer, Mozart Chor Linz, Bruckner – CD: AtemMusik Records ATMU 97001, 1997 (with brass accompaniment)

1886 version
There are two recordings of this version:
 * Duncan Ferguson, Choir of St. Mary's Cathedral of Edinburgh, Bruckner: Motets  – CD: Delphian Records DCD34071, 2010
 * Matthias Giesen, Schola Floriana, Kirchenmusik im Bruckner-Ort Ansfelden – CD: Weinberg Records SW 010497-2, 2016 (strophes 1 & 2)