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Bruckner 9th...

Ever since I got into getting my system up to par, I have started listening to other things besides in-your-face rock. Don't get me wrong, I am still a metal head, but personally, I think rock is in a slump these days, and I already have all the classic stuff that I like.

I have an series of classical music from Time/Life and it is really not too bad, but it mainly focuses on "commercial" classical stuff. You know, the composers EVERYONE knows about.

Anyway, I bought a copy of Bruckner 9th that was suggested on an audiophile site, plus, I had heard alot about that symphony and about how many people use it to test systems. Well, it is short of mind blowing even if I don't really understand the music, yet. I am wondering why I never heard of Bruckner before. My education is in a sad state. What else has Bruckner done that is a recommended recording?
matchstikman
eddaytona
216 posts
 
I too have just been introduced to classical music as my new system sounds so good that I wanted to try more and different sounds than just my usual head banging faire. Been buying lots of stuff after getting advice here at the 'gone (See top 10 Classical CDs for Newbies dicussion)

Check out this site for good music cheap

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/main.jsp
jhold
116 posts
 
If you're just getting into Bruckner, I suggest you try his most popular symphony, the 4th, also known as the "Romantic." And after that, try his 7th Symphony.

There are so many great versions of each that it's hard to know where to begin. One inexpensive way is to get the recordings on Naxos, conducted by Georg Tintner. They're not "audiophile" recordings, but they sound quite good, and they are fine readings by a conductor (alas, recently deceased) who felt Bruckner in his soul. (These are, by the way, favorites of the Stereophile writer, Sam Tellig.) You can buy all nine symphonies (plus the "00" and "0" symphonies) in a cheap Naxos boxed set, or get them individually.

If you crave a heaven-storing interpretation of the 4th, try the one on DG conducted by Herbert Von Karajan -- the Berlin Philharmonic brass will take your breath away. If you want a more genial and "folksy" version, try Karl Bohm's, on Decca.

You can also check the recommendations made by Gramophone, the respected British magazine that reviews classical music. Go to http://www.gramophone.co.uk/. In the navigation bar on the left of the page, put your cursor on "Reviews," then link to "Recommended Recordings."
concerto
1 posts
 
Go ahead and try and find the Karajan DG 2 CD of Bruckner's 8th Symphony - just imagine the symphony to be the musical equivalent of a novel. Bruckner's symphonies/novels tend to be long and dense, with lots of dynamic range and extremes (pianissimos to fortissimos, slow to fast). Someone else you may enjoy is Gustav Mahler, whose symphonies are even longer! Check out your local library; check out your local used CD music stores... good luck!
Simon
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I agree the 4th Symphony is a good place to start with Bruckner.

Then the 7th as well. For the 7th three good choices (all on Deutche Grammophon) are;
Vienna Phil/Von Karajan, DG 429 226-2
Vienna Phil/Giulini, DG 419 627-2
Berlin/Jochum; DG 429 079-2

For the 8th, I also agree with the 2CD set of the 1989 Von Karajan recording with the Vienna Phil.
gs5556
1,234 posts
 
You might want to try Chailly RSO for the complete Bruckner symphonies. Also, I agree with all who vote Karajan, especially for Bruckner's eight. To continue your "education", work your way into the symphonies of Mahler, Shostakovich, Schubert, and (opera) Wagner's Ring cycle.
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