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
Finally, for another view of the 9th & 4th, try Celibidache (on EMI I think).
When Furtwangler performed his debut in 1906, Bruckner Symphony No. 9 was the programme. Also he was the president of the German Bruckner Society at his time. Both facts explain the weight of Bruckner's music in his career. The president position was succeeded by Jochum. For me the interpretations of these two conductors are essential to Bruckner's music.

But here I would like to add another great conductor - Hans Knappertsbusch. Try his interpretation of Bruckner's music, it is very different from Furtwangler's. It provides me more subtle vision into the "boundless" which was slightly carried by Celibidache.

Happy Listening!

Otto
True Otto, Knappertsbusch was also wonderful in Wagner. A modern conductor who understood bruckner especially live was klaus tennstedt. He also carried on the spirit of bruckner.
Is there a good-sounding digital or analog transfer, that is also a great interpretation of the 7th, 8th and 9th? I'm sorry, but I don't agree with the Karajan recommendations. I have the VPO 8th, and I fail to see why it has been so highly rated. I heard his last 7th, and wasn't impressed either.

As much as I appreciate some of the classic performances, I have gotten to the point in my listening and system where I want to hear good sound.
If recorded sound is your 1st priority you probably can't do better than Skrowaczwesi on Reference Recordings or Lopez-Cobos on Telarc for the 9th, or Lopez-Cobos on Telarc for the 8th. These are, sound wise, about as good as it gets. I don't have any sound only rec's for the 7th, but I do enjoy Guilini's version on DG.