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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
gileon
45 posts
 
Saxo, you must get a copy of Jascha Horenstein/LSO Bruckner #8 to hear a true masterpiece of a performance. HvK pales in comparison. My copy is on intaglio label, which may be hard to find, unfortunately. Another great Bruckner recording by Horenstein is #5 with BBC Symphony Orchestra on Descant.

For a complete set, Jochum is very good. He has 2 complete sets and I slightly prefer the Dresden Staatskapelle but go with whichever is cheaper; performances are that close.
megasam's avatar
megasam
798 posts
 
Might as well weigh in on this also (a bit late but always room for more impressions). JHOLD at the begining makes good point, it is always dangerous/foolish to recommend complete set by one conductor but the complete Tintner/Naxos set at bargain price is great place to start any Bruckner collection.

The Naxos sound is actually very good and often surpasses the big labels. The orchestras are 2nd tier but play with such inspiration/passion they make up for any lack of virtuosity compared to BPO, VPO etc. Not saying every performance is great but Tintner offers many insights that elude other conductors and this would actually be my 1st choice for complete Bruckner set regardless of price.

Some of the early symphonies of the Tintner series would actually be 1st choices of any version available.

SAXO
The Karajan/DG/VPO Bruckner 8 is a great performance, this is a yardstick by which other performances will be measured.......a true "cathedral" of sound.

As to the original question what Bruckner 9th to get, I would go with Karajan/DG Galleria at mid price although again the Tintner/Naxos at budget price is very competitive.......don't care for the Walter version the critics all like.
mooky202011d2
1 posts
 
For the absolute Brucknerian, there is but one conductor, Celibidache. Discovering the maestro in 1983, my understanding and reverence of Bruckner changed completely and forever. Try the EMI recording of the 9th. But remember, this is recommended only for the seasoned Brucknerian.
megasam's avatar
megasam
798 posts
 
Gileon
I picked up a great Bruckner 2CD set recently: Horenstein/BBC Legends Symphony 8/9. Live stereo version form @1970, sound is very good and performance is both reverant and elctrifying. The 9th may be best I have ever heard overall and 8th is in the top 3......although I disagree with your view on Karajan/DG/VPO and I must rank also in top three versions although slightly more relaxed spritual performance than Horenstein.

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?name_id1=56293&name_role1=3&name_id2=1598&name_role2=1&comp_id=9886&genre=66&bcorder=1953&album_id=12453

Agree with you also on live Horenstein/BBC Legends Symphony 5 CD, another excellent Horenstein performance very competitive with Sinopoli/DG version for best available.

Agree with you also on Jochum sets especially for symphonies 4-9 which are consistently very good, I slightly prefer his newer EMI set in most cases.
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