Bruch Symphonies

[Barbirollians]

I bought these on a Decca Duo in the Masur recordings last week. I think they are really rather charming especially the Finale of No 2 . Perhaps he was an anachronism composing as he did in an early Romnatic style in the late romantic period but there are some darn good tunes in there especially compared to many of the truly anonymous 19th century composers whose dusty old symphonies we are often enjoined to hear .

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

It's been ages since I last heard these, but I remember the Third Symphony impressed me years ago - far more so than the other two (I kept it with the Third Violin Concerto on an off-air cassette). Time for another listen.

[visualnickmos]

.....Decca Duo in the Masur recordings.....

I quite agree! I've had this set for more years than I care to remember (silly price in an HMV sale I think) and they are, indeed, all charming works. I'm quite surprised Bruch's symphonies are not more represented on CD or even in the concert hall. I think he falls into that odd category of "great composer, but not many people know it!" - a bit like Saint-Saëns. The corresponding set of the complete [Bruch] violin concertos etc, is also worth hunting down, if you don't have it already.

[Barbirollians]

I bought that at the same time VN ! - Accardo is splendid in these works - not too much syrup by any means .