Bruckner - Symphony No. 8

[Conchis]

Goodness! That’s quite a sweeping statement! I will see if it’s music streamed

I see there looks like a rather interesting box set called Giulini in Vienna

I bought that last year at a record shop that has now sadly closed down. I bought it princiapally for the Bruckner, but it's all good.

[BBMmk2]

I bought that last year at a record shop that has now sadly closed down. I bought it princiapally for the Bruckner, but it's all good.

Thanks for that Conchis. I see it has the Bruckner works that Richard Barrett mentioned are there as well as other top notch performances.

[Richard Barrett]

This Giulini 8th is possibly even finer (magisterial!)

I shall have to give that a listen for sure.

[Beef Oven!]

I think I prefer the VPO version over the live BPO. They are both stellar of course. I think it may have something to do with the recording more than the performance. I find the strings and timpani much more compelling on the DG VPO CD, for example.

[Richard Barrett]

I think I prefer the VPO version over the live BPO. They are both stellar of course. I think it may have something to do with the recording more than the performance. I find the strings and timpani much more compelling on the DG VPO CD, for example.

Yes indeed. In the VPO recording I have the impression that I'm hearing the finely graduated instrumental balance that Giulini imagined coming from the orchestra; in the Berlin recording, which I listened to some of last night, I'm not so sure about that.

[richardfinegold]

Today I've been listening to Giulini's VPO Bruckner 8 and 9... and quite honestly I don't really know why I've allowed myself to be distracted from these recorded performances by others which simply don't measure up to them. I will of course keep trying to find something else that is anywhere near this level, but so far I haven't. This is Bruckner's music as far as I'm concerned. Say what you will.

I had just discovered the Giulini/VPO Ninth a few weeks ago and can only second your comments. Several other previously satisfactory 9ths in my collection are now completely superfluous. I will order the 8th
My 9th is a Japanese issue that was going second hand on Amazon, made with some special disc materials. Not sure if that had anything to do with it but the sound is breathtaking.

[Beef Oven!]

An amazing live performance that I often come back to .....

[jayne lee wilson]

I feel bound to mention Volkmar Andreae with the Wiener Symphoniker once more, recorded in 1953. It is swift and dramatic, vital and dynamic, but always finds time to sing out with that wonderful, older Viennese string sound, a sublimely instinctive, natural and cohesive Schubertian lyricism. It has things to tell us that few other performances have since, and I don't think I've ever heard a Scherzo with more compellingly infectious schwung and buoyancy. Snyder's M&A restoration is excellent.

Of especial interest too is the edition used: the 1892 first published version ed. Haslinger et al., almost certainly authentic though, offering Bruckner and Josef Schalk's last revisions, many of which are surprisingly audible, not least a diminuendo at the end of the 1st movement's last climax on those bare, baleful brasses! Really pulls you up the first time.
Knappertsbusch always used this edition, with to some extent a similarly volatile, Schubertian-Wagnerian approach, dramatic and songful. I do tend to prefer Andreae's greater directness, though.

[Once Was 4]

I feel bound to mention Volkmar Andreae with the Wiener Symphoniker once more, recorded in 1953. It is swift and dramatic, vital and dynamic, but always finds time to sing out with that wonderful, older Viennese string sound, a sublimely instinctive, natural and cohesive Schubertian lyricism. It has things to tell us that few other performances have since, and I don't think I've ever heard a Scherzo with more compellingly infectious schwung and buoyancy. Snyder's M&A restoration is excellent.

Of especial interest too is the edition used: the 1892 first published version ed. Has linger et al., almost certainly authentic though, offering Bruckner and Josef Schalk's last revisions, many of which are surprisingly audible, not least a diminuendo at the end of the 1st movement's last climax on those bare, baleful brasses! Really pulls you up the first time.
Knappertsbusch always used this edition, with to some extent a similarly volatile, Schubertian-Wagnerian approach, dramatic and songful. I do tend to prefer Andreae's greater directness, though.

Have a listen to this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFgn3Nr9WUI

[Beef Oven!]

Have a listen to this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFgn3Nr9WUI

Rather special isn't it? I'm sure I have a recording of it somewhere. The first movement is missing. 1944. Karajan showing Furtwangler what he's up against!

[Barbirollians]

This Giulini 8th is possibly even finer (magisterial!):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bruckner-Sy.../dp/B002QFEE3Q

I agree.

[BBMmk2]

I agree.

I remember seeing a TV programme with JB rehearsing I think the 7th?I thought my goodness, he knows what he wanted and he did!

[Beef Oven!]

I remember seeing a TV programme with JB rehearsing I think the 7th?I thought my goodness, he knows what he wanted and he did!

I don't think West Ham should have bought Davor Šuker, or at least not so late in his career .......

[Barbirollians]

I remember seeing a TV programme with JB rehearsing I think the 7th?I thought my goodness, he knows what he wanted and he did!

It was the Monitor documentary - still available on You Tube I think - 1960s Manchester and Salford look pretty grim.Fascinating programme including him whipping the RNCM Orchestra into passionate playing of part of Tchaikovsky 4.

Barbirolli's BBC Legends account of Bruckner 7 very much at one with that rehearsal extract.

[BBMmk2]

I don't think West Ham should have bought Davor Šuker, or at least not so late in his career .......

Huh?