This piece “Os Justi” is one of Bruckner’s famous religious motets. It turns out he was a religious person and that work as any other (as expected) comes out in his compositions. The piece features many highs and lows and is a piece for those of heart. There is just something so beautiful and pure about the wholeness of a choir singing a particularly religious work. It takes you into such depths that all you can do is stand and marvel. It is a tear-jerker for sure. The part writing is spot on, most of it being four parts. There are a few passages in which the composer divides the tenor and the bass voices to create a powerful and rich sound that is designed to fill the hall. It’s important to note that he does this technique at the exact moments when the piece is at its highest dynamic levels— fortissimo to be exact. The fullness (and by contrast) the weariness and loneliness of the soul are captured in this marvelous, heart-felt work. The piece, as with many in this vein of work, are too deep in emotion for words to even begin to describe.
The words could be sensed as a tone of apology to the Lord from a low place. It’s a wide-open appeal to God. This piece is a plea to God to be healed and to be our healer. It is in times of sorrow and in times of rejoicing that this piece is suited to. The high and low peaks of this symphony really show a deep treasure that could last for generations to come and it has. The plaudits don’t go much higher than this. The highs and the lows are captured in the recording in splendid form, and should cause people to draw nigh to it.
It is known that Bruckner was a deeply religious man and tried to capture much of his religious philosophy in his music. It appears that he has a unique closeness to God and the spirit. It sure is captured in magnificent display here and in other motets that may be explored later. Wow! What a man and what a composer! Any people that would venture to compose sacred music should definitely put this composer in their list of repertoire.
