BaL 9.12.23 - Bruckner: Symphony no. 8

[Darloboy]

It was October 2011 I think. It’s a model of a BAL just listened to it again.

Giulini shaded Wand,Karajan and Kubelik. The 1944 Furtwangler was described as essential as a historical choice.

I think he also played Tintner for anyone who wanted the 1887 version.

And in November 1989 Stephen Johnson chose Karajan with the VPO.

[pastoralguy]

Then can I suggest the Halle /Barbirolli - its pretty quick but fantastically exciting.

I have the Barbirolli Big Box so I’ll give it a shot. Thanks.

[pastoralguy]

I should say that I’m listening to Haitink’s Bruckner 9 and am throughly enjoying it!

[richardfinegold]

Don't worry, JLW is not here...

According to JLW I didn’t understand the structure of Bruckner 8 and therefore had no right to comment on it. I still don’t know where the doom music at the end of I comes from, but it does wake me up as I start to nod off.
Why did Gunter Wand want the HVAC turned off? Is there one edition of the piece that specifies no Air Conditioning obligato is allowed?

[Barbirollians]

I have the Barbirolli Big Box so I’ll give it a shot. Thanks.

Its a BBC Legends live recording so not in that box.

[AuntDaisy]

According to JLW I didn’t understand the structure of Bruckner 8 and therefore had no right to comment on it. I still don’t know where the doom music at the end of I comes from, but it does wake me up as I start to nod off.
Why did Gunter Wand want the HVAC turned off? Is there one edition of the piece that specifies no Air Conditioning obligato is allowed?

I'm getting old, took me a while to realise who JLW was.

The only Bruckner 8 CD I have is the 1979 Günter Wand & Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester in a box set (which has no booklet & limited details!)
How does this compare to his other versions? Or, should I wait for TS?

[Barbirollians]

Its good but I tend to agree with Richard Osborne that his late Berlin Philharmonic recording with RCA was his best.

[Barbirollians]

This may give us an idea of Mr Service's favourites - reminds me of how much better a writer he is than a broadcaster IMO

https://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2013/dec/03/symphony-guide-bruckner-eighth-tom-service

[smittims]

Hi, AuntDaisy, you might care to listen to some 'oddball' Bruckner 8s which , while unlikely to be today's recommended versions, have something to say about this extraordinary work:

Karajan 1957, his Columbia recording , and one of the first he made with the Berlin Phil. Interstingly, he recorded no Bruckner with the Philharmonia. This vintage early stereo EMI set has always been welcomed back whenever it's been reissued.

Klemperer, his notorious late recording of the Novak version, in which he chose to make further cuts of his own. Despite this, there's a craggy awkwardness about it which is, well, Brucknerian.

And speaking of craggy awkwardness there's Reggie Goodall on BBC legends, the second of only two performances he gave . This is the Haas version gloriously complete.

[HighlandDougie]

Heard the new Haitink, Dougie? Petrushka?

Listening as I type. Haas, as was BH's wont, rather than Nowak. Third Movement slightly more expansive than the Vienna recording. Glorious orchestral playing and fine recording. As physical CDs, the 2-disc set includes a 2010 performance of the 'Te Deum', while the streaming option on Qobuz seems only to be the symphony but I haven't yet really looked for the 'Te Deum' (on Tidal, for instance).

But, then, I am biased as BH can do little wrong in Bruckner in my view so I'll be ordering the CDs as an early birthday present*. PG could a lot worse than listen to it, particularly if he is enjoying BH's 9th. I'll be interested to know what Petrushka - and, indeed, Alison think??

* Now done - FNAC promises delivery tomorrow (on verra)

[AuntDaisy]

Thanks Barbirollians & smittims for the suggestions & information.

[Barbirollians]

Hi, AuntDaisy, you might care to listen to some 'oddball' Bruckner 8s which , while unlikely to be today's recommended versions, have something to say about this extraordinary work:

Karajan 1957, his Columbia recording , and one of the first he made with the Berlin Phil. Interstingly, he recorded no Bruckner with the Philharmonia. This vintage early stereo EMI set has always been welcomed back whenever it's been reissued.

Klemperer, his notorious late recording of the Novak version, in which he chose to make further cuts of his own. Despite this, there's a craggy awkwardness about it which is, well, Brucknerian.

And speaking of craggy awkwardness there's Reggie Goodall on BBC legends, the second of only two performances he gave . This is the Haas version gloriously complete.

I am also fond of HVK's first effort which appeared recently in a bargain box - when it was first released it was very expensive - about £80 in today's money I think.

Those Klemperer cuts are horrible for all his skill in Bruckner - a great shame that EMI agreed to them - they should have said no and sent Barbirolli to Vienna .

I heard the Goodall once - struck me as interminably slow but Barbirolli may strike many as too quick. In his Gramophone review Richard Osborne described the Barbirolli as the boldest bravest Bruckner 8 on record - Hurwitz slagged it off whinging about the Halle - two great recommendations IMO.

[Petrushka]

Heard the new Haitink, Dougie? Petrushka?

It's on my Christmas wish list, Alison, (along with Haitink's new 4th) so hoping Santa duly obliges!

[Alison]

You're in for two treats Pet.

I was delighted to find this the other day

https://youtu.be/aGBQMPgUitU?si=ZgKcyFaPwv2JiZM5

[Petrushka]

You're in for two treats Pet.

I was delighted to find this the other day

https://youtu.be/aGBQMPgUitU?si=ZgKcyFaPwv2JiZM5

If you subscribe to that site on YouTube you will much of interest. Also this: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1366167980606959