Locus Iste (translates as This Place) is a sacred motet composed by Anton Bruckner in 1869. The full Latin title is Locus Iste a Deo Factus Est, (This place was made by God). Bruckner originally set the work for four unaccompanied voices and dedicated it to the Votive Chapel at the New Cathedral in Linz, Austria, where he had been a cathedral organist. It is in the key of C major and in common time, has 48 bars and takes nearly three minutes to perform. The text concentrates on the concept of the sacred place, based on the Biblical story of Jacob's Ladder.
Josef Anton Bruckner (1824–1896) was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets, many of which are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism. Unlike other musical radicals such as Richard Wagner, Bruckner showed extreme humility before other musicians. Anton Bruckner was born in Ansfelden a suburb of Linz. Bruckner's ancestors were farmers and craftsmen; their history can be traced to as far back as the 16th century. Unlike his romantic symphonies, most of Bruckner's choral works are often conservative and contrapuntal in style. Bruckner learned to play the organ early as a child and was a renowned organist in his day, impressing audiences in France in 1869, and England in 1871, giving six recitals on a new Henry Willis organ at Royal Albert Hall in London and five more at the Crystal Palace. Though he wrote no major works for the organ his improvisation sessions sometimes yielded ideas for the symphonies. He taught organ performance at the Conservatory; among his students were Gustav Mahler. Biographers generally characterise Bruckner as a "simple" provincial man. Many biographers have complained that there is huge discrepancy between Bruckner's life and his work, for example "his life doesn't tell anything about his work, and his work doesn't tell anything about his life,” Anecdotes abound as to Bruckner's dogged pursuit of his chosen craft and his humble acceptance of the fame that eventually came his way. Once, after a rehearsal of his Fourth Symphony in 1881, the well-meaning Bruckner tipped the conductor Hans Richter: "When the symphony was over," Richter related, "Bruckner came to me, his face beaming with enthusiasm and joy. I felt him press a coin into my hand. 'Take this' he said, 'and drink a glass of beer to my health.'" Richter, of course, accepted the coin and wore it on his watch-chain. The Bruckner Conservatory in Linz, an institution of higher education is named after him as is the Bruckner Orchester also in Linz.
Jock McKenzie studied trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester where he was a joint recipient of the college’s concerto prize. Since 1987 Jock has based his musical career in Hampshire, working as a freelance trumpeter, conductor, composer, arranger and brass teacher. Currently Jock holds the position of Professional Leader (Brass) for Hampshire Music Service and is the Director of the Hampshire County Youth Band. It is the mix of all of these musical roles that has led to Jock establishing a reputation as a leading creator of brass music resources, particularly in the field of education and brass ensemble music.
