1845

St. Florian, Austria: Anton Bruckner composes one of his early works, Missa ex g-moll pro quadragesima, of which only a sketch of the opening bars of the Kyrie survives. The scoring, which is for chorus, organ, and trombones, is a foreshadowing of Bruckner’s emphasis on trombone throughout his career. In the words of one historian, “The choice of instruments may well have been determined by the day for which the work was intended–the first Sunday of Lent. Bruckner may have wanted the sombre sound of the trombones to mark this serious occasion. However, it must also be noted that this scoring became a particular favourite of the composer” (Kinder 8).