Born in Liechtenstein, Josef Rheinberger was a composer, pianist and teacher in Germany in the 19th Century. He became the organist for his local church at the age of seven and composed his first work the following year. Abendlied is a sacred motet composed in 1855 when Rheinberger was only 15 years of age. This beautiful setting for wind ensemble was originally written for a six-part mixed choir with the lyrics taken from the Gospel of Luke 24:29 and translating as: "Bide with us, for the evening shadows darken, and the day will soon be over."
