The Te Deum
text was written in Latin between the fourth and fifth centuries. It originated
as a preface of the Sanctus and following prayer in an old Latin Mass of the
Easter vigil, a Mass of baptism. Since the end of the sixth century, the Te Deum has been sung at the end of
Matins, which begins with a solemn Invitatory, Psalm 94, “O come, let us sing
to the Lord”, and ends with the Te Deum.
It is also used as a thanksgiving hymn at consecrations, ordinations, following
military victories, and in closing of some medieval mystery plays.
The Te Deum by
Anton Bruckner was composed as a hymn in praise of Wagner, and was written in
two stages between 1881 and 1884. After laying it aside, he wrote his 7th
Symphony, another tribute to Richard Wagner, who was the composer Bruckner
revered more than any other. One of his last sacred compositions, The Te Deum is in five movements, but the
text itself is divided into three sections. The first is a hymn of praise to
God the Father and contains thirteen verses, including a doxology in the last
three verses. The second is a hymn of praise to Christ the Redeemer. The third
is a series of petitions taken from the psalms.
Bruckner (1824-1896) began studying organ at age 11. In
1837, as a choirboy, his education emphasized music. As an organist later, he
also studied teaching techniques. Te Deum
was composed in Vienna, where he lived his last 28 years. Britannica says, “To Bruckner,
composition had the significance of a liturgical art….he appears to have felt
most acutely that he was an instrument of God.”