For this CD a chronological cross section of Bruckner’s work was chosen, spanning from the very first composition of an eleven year old, a Pange lingua, to the late Vexilla Regis.

It’s often hard to define musical roots and origins with Bruckner, since his first symphony already bears his unmistakable stamp, but some of these seldom performed early sacred compositions, which still prescribe to 18th and early 19th century Upper Austrian church tradition, can give an idea of his musical background.

Many of these pieces sound like chorale harmonisations, but the chorale melodies are by Bruckner himself and display melodic attributes typical of the Alpine region.