BaL 31.12.16 - Bruckner: Symphony no. 3 in D minor

[jayne lee wilson]

Having heard two of his performances with this orchestra at the Proms, this (released today) is tempting... (inc. the 1877 version of No. 3...)

You said you prefer downloads now, right? Know about this...?

http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/anton-bruckner-the-complete-symphonies-daniel-barenboim-staatskapelle-berlin/0002894812414

Gramophone's Christian Hoskins (a careful & precise Brucknerian who really knows his editions) was a touch lukewarm about it: 1 - 3 very good, fine 6 and 9, but better in Chicago and Berlin Phil respectively.... 5th disappointing. 7 and 8 lacking tension especially in their codas.... And so on, despite calling it "a significant addition to the Bruckner discography". Editions used are are mixture of Carragan, Haas and Nowak, but Oeser in 3...

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/bruckner-symphonies-nos-1-9-complete

I enjoyed the Proms performances and I'm sure these would have a lovely Bruckner sound, but I don't think there'd be much new insight on offer here....
After what I said earlier (#284, 309) about wishing the COE would record Bruckner, I suddenly remembered these -

http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/search?q=ivor+bolton+bruckner&i=boutique

They had mixed reviews, so time in the Gramophone archive would be well spent. But 3/1889 and 4/1880 received high praise (RO and EG) and having just played 6 (i) I can add to that. It's close to what I was looking for, if a bit larger than the COE - strings (24-9-7-6) sweet and expressive but never drenching the texture, lighter & more transparent but with a good, well-defined bass; winds and brass very clean and foregrounded, sounding out wonderfully in the spacious Salzburg acoustic - which seems ideal for Bruckner. Crisp and up-tempo too. It does rather remind me of that COE Berglund Sibelius.
After my experience of Venzago's 3rd (v.#284) I badly want to return to that cycle, such a revelation when it first appeared - but the Bolton live ones, if less radical interpretatively, seem very inviting too.
So if you want a fresh view, but with at least some of that Austrian orchestral character....

[Nick Armstrong]

You said you prefer downloads now, right? Know about this...?

http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/anton-bruckner-the-complete-symphonies-daniel-barenboim-staatskapelle-berlin/0002894812414

Thanks jayne

Need to find out if qobuz will speak to my main hifi via the Airport Express (if not, the hi-res ain't going to help me). If it does, this might be a good opportunity to give the month's free trial a whirl

Those Gramophone reviews are of an earlier Staatskapelle Dresden cycle under Barenboim (on a label called "Peral"), right - not of this new Skp. Berlin set... or am I missing something?*


* The review mentions Berlin but in the 'details' section, one sees:



&c. (each symphony similarly described)

[Nick Armstrong]

- pasto's post brought it equal with Brahms' Second, but another dozen or so comments here will take it above the summit of Strauss' muesli masterpiece.

EDIT:358 posts is the "target".

Nearly Auf dem Gipfel, lasses and lads!!

[jayne lee wilson]

Thanks jayne

Need to find out if qobuz will speak to my main hifi via the Airport Express (if not, the hi-res ain't going to help me). If it does, this might be a good opportunity to give the month's free trial a whirl

Those Gramophone reviews are of an earlier Staatskapelle Dresden cycle under Barenboim (on a label called "Peral"), right - not of this new Skp. Berlin set... or am I missing something?*


* The review mentions Berlin but in the 'details' section, one sees:



&c. (each symphony similarly described)

No, they are the identical Staatskapelle Berlin cycle, the Gramophone free content is erroneous (NOT made in the archive itself, where the download-only Peral review appeared 6/2016).
Peral is effectively Barenboim's own label http://peralmusic.com/recordings and the website includes some of his writings. For CD his usual commercial label DG has been used, Qobuz lists the hi-res cycle now as "Universal". But they're certainly nothing to do with Dresden....

[Petrushka]

Listened to the Sinopoli recording (a Presto CD) of the Bruckner 3 last night and it was superb. This was as thrilling a performance and recording as I've heard of the work and joins Haitink/VPO at the top of my list (both 1877 versions). The Staatskapelle Dresden are an orchestra to die for on this form; wonderful playing from every player and 10/10 for an outstanding timpani contribution underpinning the climaxes to tremendous effect. Awesome stuff.

[Barbirollians]

Never encountered him before. My inner monologue as I read his diatribe could not be repeated here...



Bbm: go for it, and you'll find out! Do let us know!

I find generally when Sir Les Patterson doesn't like a recording and posts one of his self-indulgent diatribes it is the best recommendation of all to buy .

[Bryn]

Never encountered him before. My inner monologue as I read his diatribe could not be repeated here...

It's always annoying when his is the only review. He has a claque who are almost as bad. Also, all too often one finds an average of three stars results from a couple of five stars with a one star blathering review from 'Barnyard'.

[Barbirollians]

Yes and for some reason he clearly hated Abbado with a passion . Normally , an unreasoned and bizarre passion.

[Beef Oven!]

Listened to the Sinopoli recording (a Presto CD) of the Bruckner 3 last night and it was superb. This was as thrilling a performance and recording as I've heard of the work and joins Haitink/VPO at the top of my list (both 1877 versions). The Staatskapelle Dresden are an orchestra to die for on this form; wonderful playing from every player and 10/10 for an outstanding timpani contribution underpinning the climaxes to tremendous effect. Awesome stuff.

Glad you enjoyed it Petrushka, I have the same view of this performance. Indeed I have you to thank for prompting me to buy it last week!

Your CD arrived quickly! 20% discount? I bought the download from Presto.

Your and my experience of this recording supports the view that what is most important at the end of the day is the performance, not the edition. I wish Bruckner hadn’t changed his mind about the scherzo coda, I think it’s better with it. Down the years, and with recent intense listening of this symphony, I’m not troubled by the cuts in the finale.

[Petrushka]

Glad you enjoyed it Petrushka, I have the same view of this performance. Indeed I have you to thank for prompting me to buy it last week!

Your CD arrived quickly! 20% discount? I bought the download from Presto.

Your and my experience of this recording supports the view that what is most important at the end of the day is the performance, not the edition. I wish Bruckner hadn’t changed his mind about the scherzo coda, I think it’s better with it. Down the years, and with recent intense listening of this symphony, I’m not troubled by the cuts in the finale.

Yes, I took advantage of the 20% discount to get the rest of the Sinopoli/Bruckner series I didn't have (4, 7 & 9). Presumably a complete cycle was planned but a pity it never came about. Haitink also has the coda to the Scherzo and as that was my first recording of the B3 I always feel cheated when it doesn't appear elsewhere. Happily, Sinopoli includes it too. An outstanding disc that deserves to be heard.

[DoctorT]

Is this a record for the number of posts generated by a BAL subject?

Almost enough to get me seriously listening to Bruckner! Looking forward to the Schubert this morning...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Almost enough to get me seriously listening to Bruckner!

Best way - "trivial listening" is no help with Bruckner.

Looking forward to the Schubert this morning...

[ahinton]

A white one that straps together at the back, perhaps?

A black one that zips up from top to bottom, probably...

[DoctorT]

Best way - "trivial listening" is no help with Bruckner.

I've usually found the sum rather less impressive than the parts- my fault I'm sure- but this BaL had me listening with fresh ears

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I've usually found the sum rather less impressive than the parts- my fault I'm sure- but this BaL had me listening with fresh ears

- hope it leads you to new listening joys, Doc: the sums add up brilliantly when the Music "clicks"


And we've now overtaken the mountain!