BaL 20.02.21 - Bruckner: Symphony no. 6

**jayne lee wilson** · 05-02-21, 20:15

Wonderful choice of symphony, perfect reviewer for it.......most here will recall his excellent 12/2016 survey of the Bruckner 3rd, which dealt very well and elegantly with the editions....(finally choosing the 1873 original, in Blomstedt's second Leipzig performance...).....

No such editional problems here of course. But some excellent recent recordings are among the very best I know, namely LSO/Rattle (LSO Live) and Bergen SO/Dausgaard (BIS)..... both on SACD too....
I wonder if outliers such as the pioneering echt-Viennese Volkmar Andreae or the left-field but still very idiomatic Venzago will get a mention....not that I would choose them as a one-and-only, but then I wouldn't choose any recording as a one-and-only!

Otherwise, Norrington and Klemperer are different types of classic.... and the various Haitink readings. Despite the sonic glories of Munich and Dresden, I favour the earliest Amsterdam taping for its swiftness, directness and fresh, slightly lean sonority...

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 05-02-21, 20:23

For a long time, I only had the "Unbegun" recording by Furtwangler. Now I have Stein and Janowski too.

**Alison** · 05-02-21, 20:28

I hope Klemperer isn’t chosen, good in its day but readily surpassed IMHO.

**Petrushka** · 05-02-21, 20:41

It took a long time for the 6th to click into place for me but when it did it was at a live performance with the Concertgebouw and Chailly at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, in, I think, 1996. I've not heard the Chailly recording for many years and will dig it out before the BaL.

My first recording was the adulated Philharmonia/Klemperer but I've never got on with it and fail to understand the veneration in which Richard Osborne, for one, holds it. Nowadays my preference is for Haitink, Jochum and Karajan and the relatively recent BRSO/Haitink would be my first choice. The 6th also has my favourite Bruckner scherzo (those magical horns in the trio!) and most thrilling first movement coda.

It's difficult to see why the 6th is still somewhat neglected in the concert hall.

**jayne lee wilson** · 05-02-21, 20:59

As is well known, I always stand by the Klemperer as a true Brucknerian classic, sonically, musically and historically. Both the EMI Studio and the GROC reproduce beautifully here, but also on some less analytical systems I've replayed them on. A recorded sound of great depth, spaciousness and natural balance. I prefer a swifter first movement nowadays, but Klemperer thinks through the structure beautifully, craggy, direct, and keeping the 2+3 rhythm clear. He misses no detail, judges tempi relations effortlessly, and the Philharmonia match his every direction. (Playing now....and still sounding as good as ever....so atmospheric at the start of the development...then the gradual increase in tension, dynamics and urgency...this guy knows how it goes, and how to get the orchestra to do it. My word, what an orchestra it is, in my room here and now......)

Is there a single tempo change, anywhere in the first movement, that doesn't feel giusto? No. It all flows beautifully...

A classic of the Philharmonia and Kingsway tradition, with as fine an engineering pedigree as you could wish. I'd be surprised if it isn't somewhere near Tom's shortlist.

**Bryn** · 05-02-21, 21:08

As I think I have mentioned previously, the 6th is the only Bruckner symphony for which I have the score (critical edition), purchased in my youth. I guess it must have made quite an impression on me. Looking forward to this one. It will be interesting to hear to what extent TS lets AMcG get a word in.

**Darloboy** · 05-02-21, 22:18

Not a work that BaL covers often. In fact, as far as I can tell, it was last discussed in March 1982 when Richard Osborne presented the programme. Not sure who "won" but I believe Herbert von Karajan was big in the '80s.

**Petrushka** · 05-02-21, 22:26

Originally posted by jayne lee wilson View Post

As is well known, I always stand by the Klemperer as a true Brucknerian classic, sonically, musically and historically. Both the EMI Studio and the GROC reproduce beautifully here, but also on some less analytical systems I've replayed them on. A recorded sound of great depth, spaciousness and natural balance. I prefer a swifter first movement nowadays, but Klemperer thinks through the structure beautifully, craggy, direct, and keeping the 2+3 rhythm clear. He misses no detail, judges tempi relations effortlessly, and the Philharmonia match his every direction. (Playing now....and still sounding as good as ever....so atmospheric at the start of the development...then the gradual increase in tension, dynamics and urgency...this guy knows how it goes, and how to get the orchestra to do it. My word, what an orchestra it is, in my room here and now......)

Is there a single tempo change, anywhere in the first movement, that doesn't feel giusto? No. It all flows beautifully...

A classic of the Philharmonia and Kingsway tradition, with as fine an engineering pedigree as you could wish. I'd be surprised if it isn't somewhere near Tom's shortlist.

JLW, I have the Klemperer now in the Warner box along with his other Bruckner recordings but I've not heard it for some years and that was in the original 1990 CD issue much lauded by RO. As ever, your enthusiasm is infectious and I'll make sure I give it another listen before the BaL.

**Petrushka** · 05-02-21, 22:36

I'm rather surprised to see that I've got 20 versions of the 6th on my shelves and with new issues from Nelsons and Jansons (neither of which I have) it will be interesting to see how the latter two match up to their predecessors.

In addition to the ones I mention above in #5, I especially like a live 1995 Günter Wand recording with the NDR Sinfonie-orchester (not on Alpie's list, presumably nla) and I'd choose that alongside the BRSO/Haitink as my prime choice.

**Bryn** · 05-02-21, 22:50

Originally posted by Petrushka View Post

I'm rather surprised to see that I've got 20 versions of the 6th on my shelves and with new issues from Nelsons and Jansons (neither of which I have) it will be interesting to see how the latter two match up to their predecessors.

In addition to the ones I mention above in #5, I especially like a live 1995 Günter Wand recording with the NDR Sinfonie-orchester (not on Alpie's list, presumably nla) and I'd choose that alongside the BRSO/Haitink as my prime choice.

It doeds indeed seem to have been deleted. However, there is a used copy to be had: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bruckner-Sy...=music&sr=1-16 and new in https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 which I paid a great deal less for in March 2018.

**Petrushka** · 05-02-21, 23:11

Originally posted by Bryn View Post

It doeds indeed seem to have been deleted. However, there is a used copy to be had: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bruckner-Sy...=music&sr=1-16 and new in https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 which I paid a great deal less for in March 2018.

Bryn, this is the one I was referring to: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bruckner-Sy...s=music&sr=1-1

It must be different to the one you reference as I see that both are included in the 33 disc set which you also reference.

**Bryn** · 05-02-21, 23:27

Originally posted by Petrushka View Post

Bryn, this is the one I was referring to: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bruckner-Sy...s=music&sr=1-1

It must be different to the one you reference as I see that both are included in the 33 disc set which you also reference.

Same cover illustration; recorded 'live' May 15th 1995, the fourth disc in the 33 Disc box. The first I linked to turns out to have been recorded in 1988.

**jayne lee wilson** · 06-02-21, 00:46

Originally posted by Darloboy View Post

Not a work that BaL covers often. In fact, as far as I can tell, it was last discussed in March 1982 when Richard Osborne presented the programme. Not sure who "won" but I believe Herbert von Karajan was big in the '80s.

RO of that vintage would, IIRC, have favoured Klemperer and the Chicago SO/Barenboim .... later he was very taken with the SWR (then Stuttgart)/Norrington (Gramophone 11/2008, with some interesting comments re. Klemperer...)...

**vibratoforever** · 06-02-21, 01:09

Originally posted by Petrushka View Post

I'm rather surprised to see that I've got 20 versions of the 6th on my shelves and with new issues from Nelsons and Jansons (neither of which I have) it will be interesting to see how the latter two match up to their predecessors.

In addition to the ones I mention above in #5, I especially like a live 1995 Günter Wand recording with the NDR Sinfonie-orchester (not on Alpie's list, presumably nla) and I'd choose that alongside the BRSO/Haitink as my prime choice.

The 1995 Wand is my favourite as well. It is available from Presto as a download, not sure if so elsewhere

BaL 20.02.21 - Bruckner: Symphony no. 6

BaL 20.02.21 - Bruckner: Symphony no. 6

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