Reviewed by John Irvine

Anton Bruckner was once described as 'half a Caesar and half a village school master.' He loved critical acclaim, yet lived modestly and in seclusion. He thought he had great talent, yet substantially revised his works at the slightest suggestion of critics and friends, well meaning or otherwise. So much so that there exist several substantially different versions of almost everything Bruckner wrote. It has only been recently, after moving the revisions and returning to the original drafts, that we have begun to see him, not merely as a major figure in the 19th century, but as one of the leading figures, comparable in stature to Richard Wagner. Strangely, though, all of his works - not just the choral pieces, but also tine symphonies - display a deeply ingrained religiosity. These were the works of a faith both sincere and undoubting. He worked to the greater glory of God. He once said, "When God calls me and asks me what I did with the talent he gave me, I will present to him the score of my Te Deum and I hope he will judge me mercifully!" One can best appreciate his opinion of his own work after listening to this recording! "Te Deum" is magnificent, with massive, stirring orchestrations surrounding the triumphal text: "We praise thee, O God!" Bruckner works on a grand canvas painting a huge majestic picture of a God who merits our praise. This is Bruckner at his best - praising God with joyous and gutsy music. This interpretation by the Corydon Singers is probably one of the best recordings of the "Te Deum" available. The Corydon Singers have been building up a reputation for themselves as distinguished interpreters of Bruckner's choral music, but here they surpass themselves. An excellent recording.

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