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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
saxo
98 posts
 
Which is the better performance and orchestra, Ref. Record. or Telarc? Is Giulini's a newer digital DG? Some of the DGs are not very good sonically, congested and tunnel-like.
newbee
4,751 posts
 
I'd vote for Lobez-Cobos but both performances are, in fact, very good. Re Guilini, i mentioned this only in passing as it is a somewhat more eclectic performance, very beautiful and broad. As to sound I only have it on LP and cannot comment on the CD. On LP it was quite nice. While i have not heard it i have heard that the Harnnoncourt performance on Teldec is quite nice. You might check your local library to see if they have these for you to listen to w/out risk.
buxter66's avatar
buxter66
103 posts
 
Agreed Saxo, always have found Karajan to miss the boat completely. I guess the orderliness and smoothness might appeal to some, but at what expense??? Everything he did sounds the same to me. Static, lifeless.
yu11375
137 posts
 
The concertmaster of Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra served during Furtwangler's and Karajan's eras once recollected Karajan's rehearsal as following:

"To fast, to slow, to loud, to quite, to early and to late" That's only six words we can hear from him.

Not exactly word-by-word translation but the main idea is captured here for your reference.

Back to the main topic. Since Giulini's performance (DGG - 427 345-2, recorded in 1988 with Wiener Philharmoniker) is mentioned here, should we not miss Sinopoli's reading? It is very lyric, profound performances.

Also long forgotten Schuricht, Abendroth, Konwitschny and Klemperer, just to name a few. There is also a rare recording done by Mravinsky.

Again, happy listening!

Otto
saxo
98 posts
 
I have to eat my words. I pulled out my copy and listened to the Karajan 8th with VPO, and it is an epic performance. It is on the slow side, but so dramatic, sensitive, and full or color, that it is an interpretation for the ages. The VPO plays splendidly, and the recording, while not of demonstration quality, is quite good, except a little bass light and with some of the DG house sound in the sheen of the strings that can turn a little aggressive at fortissimos.

If you know and love this symphony, you really owe it to yourself to listen to this masterpiece of a performance of a truly epic work that has earned its place in the highest echelon of giant symphonic literature of the Romantic period.
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