Fest- und Gedenksprüche, op. 109

Brahms composed the three motets "Unsere Väter hofften auf dich", "Wenn ein starker Gewappneter" and "Wo ist so ein herrlich Volk" as festive and commemorative sayings probably in 1888/89 at Lake Thun in Switzerland. The actual occasion for their composition was the award of honorary citizenship of the city of Hamburg, where the three motets were also performed for the first time in 1889. Brahms himself commented in this context: "The pieces are not difficult, for my sake the wind players (!) may join in.