Vaterlandslied, WAB 92

Vaterlandslied (Patriotic song), WAB 92, is a patriotic song composed by Anton Bruckner during his stay in Linz.

History
Bruckner composed this song on a text of August Silberstein in November 1866, during his stay in Linz. He composed it together with the Vaterländisch Weinlied on request of Anton M. Storch.

Bruckner dedicated the work to the Niederösterreichischer Sängerbund (Singers' association of Lower Austria). The work was performed by the Liedertafel Frohsinn on 4 April 1868 in the Redoutensaal of Linz.

The work, of which the original manuscript is lost, was first issued by Doblinger, Vienna in 1902, together with Der Abendhimmel, WAB 56. It is issued in Band XXIII/2, No. 20 of the Gesamtausgabe.

The quite large-scaled work (13 pages in the Gesamtausgabe) is considered one of the best works for men's choir of the Linz period. The song, which remained in the repertoire of Frohsinn, was also performed at the Bruckner-Feier of 1924.

Lyrics
The song uses lyrics from Trutz-Nachtigall by August Silberstein:

Music
The 87-bar long work in A-flat major, scored for TTBB choir and tenor and baritone soloists, is in four sections: A (strophes 1 & 2, 21 bars), A (strophes 3 & 4, 21 bars), B (strophes 5 & 6, 20 bars), A (strophes 7 & 8, 21 bars) with a 4-bar coda.

Discography
There is one recording of the song:
 * Reiner E. Moritz, Anton Bruckner - The making of a giant – BR: Arthaus Musik NTSSC, 2021 A recording of seven motets, and two Weltliche Chorwerke: Du bist wie eine Blume and Vaterlandslied by Alexander Koller with Hard-Chor-Linz and the Linzer Sängerakademie, is together with the documentary.