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Interesting article from yesterday's NYT on a new set of Bruckner 4, multiple editions, with the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra and Jakub Hrůša:
The article doesn't mention the label, but as self-appointed 'village explainer', the set is on Accentus:
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Now 'Bruckner and his Editors' would make a fine 'old style Radio 3' series of programmes.... <sigh emoticon>Comment
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Great idea.Originally posted by kernelbogey View Post
Apparently, there was a section on editors in part 3 of "A Grand, Mysterious Harmony" - 14 parts, from 1996/97. Perhaps R3's controller could repeat it?
3: An Unplayable Symphony?
This week, the survey reaches the Symphony No 2 in C minor in a performance by the Ulster Orchestra and conductor John Carewe. The programme includes contributions from William Carragan and Otto Biba , who discuss the various versions of the symphony and the approach of different editors. Is there such a thing as a definitive version of this - or any - Bruckner symphonyA Grand, Mysterious Harmony
First broadcast: Wed 2nd Oct 1996, 19:30 on BBC Radio 3
Over the next three months, Stephen Johnson explores the symphonic legacy of Anton Bruckner
(1824-1896), with complete performances of most versions of his symphonies by the BBC orchestras.
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With contributions from Paul Banks and Bayan Northcott , excerpts from the Symphony in F minor (Studien-Symphonie) and readings from the reminiscences of people who knew Bruckner.
THE THIRD AT 50Comment
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Absolutely. But it would need much updating in the light of recent scholarship, the far clearer knowledge, publication and many more recordings of various editions, to be worthwhile. And awareness of such as Dermot Gault's The New Bruckner, and The Cambridge Bruckner Companion...Originally posted by kernelbogey View Post
The question: "is there such a thing as a definitive version of this - or any - Bruckner symphony" can now be simply answered with: yes of course, but with some of them there are more than one!
This is is the set bsp mentions above, with an excellent detailed essay from the Great Scholar of all things Bruckner, Benjamin Korstvedt.
Just started on the 1874 version.....I only wish I could be more enthusiastic; its not bad, but the sound is a bit thickened, where you would wish the contrapuntal detail to be clearer - vital to 1874; its there, but hard work to follow. (Simone Young and Norrington make a better case for this hyper-detailed version, although the Hrusa is a new edition.)
They really have a go, but I'm not sure conductor or performers are truly inside the music in this version. I guess I miss some instinctive Brucknerian inspirational feel to this.
But I'll press on and hope for better things...
One for the streamer then, including a 4th "disc" of comparison excerpts between earlier/revised passages etc. Great idea, Excellent Project, at least....Last edited by jayne lee wilson; 18-09-21, 13:39.Comment
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So I stuck with it, and I was really warming to this set, as the finale of 1874 goes very well indeed - Hrusa turns on the intensity for the extraordinary finale (amazing music for 1874!) in an approach generally very austro-german, warm and notably lyrical, with lovely blended brasses. It occasionally lacks a sense of urgency, but I love the light touch between climactic passages, and it is growing on me. And this is a unique Korstvedt Edition (further dynamic/instrumental changes), reminding me of the enriched sound of 3 (1874 Carragan)).
So I leapt onto the 1888. Alas! At around 2'30 in the finale of the 1888 Edition, the Qobuz stream leaps on itself, to the Comparison-Excerpts "Disc 4"! (1878/1880). (edit 1/10/21*** - this movement is now complete on Qobuz...))
This may not be Q's fault, but I haven't checked other providers to see if it happens there..... I simply went off and ordered the (rather expensive
) CDs, of course I did!
Now I would recommend the set enthusiastically, to stream or buy, for any devotee - but given the warmth and occasional density of sound, as ever it may be best to trial it first via the stream.
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Cet élément a bien été ajouté / retiré de vos favoris.Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 in E-Flat Major, WAB 104 "Romantic" (The 3 Versions)
Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, Jakub Hrusa
- Released on 17/09/2021 by Accentus Music
- 24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo
https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/br.../g36xcg9tif8yaLast edited by jayne lee wilson; 01-10-21, 15:54.Comment
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4x3 Reloaded......
444Cet élément a bien été ajouté / retiré de vos favoris
Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 in E-Flat Major, WAB 104 "Romantic" (The 3 Versions).
Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, Jakub Hrusa
Released on 17/09/2021 by Accentus Music
CDs/Qobuz 24/96.
Living with this set for two weeks now and I’m completely absorbed in it. I won't try to claim any of the performances are the best of each version (I'm not sure I could make a such a choice anyway, or even name a top three), but they are all very good, engagingly warm and tonally appealing, and hearing all three played by the same band in the same fine acoustic proved deeply instructive…..
Perhaps partly because of the revised orchestration in this new Korstvedt Edition, this 1874 4th is the warmest, most melodically approachable one I’ve heard, and really does now seem to be a valid Bruckner Symphony in its own right (like the 1873 3rd). I love it more and more, and keep going back to it.
It flows more smoothly than previous readings, so all those highly wrought contrapuntal lines make much better sense, and the finale is astounding: as Korstvedt says in his authoritative note to his new edition, it has a mercurial and fantastical character quite different from 1880 or 1888, which comes through thrillingly here. Every Brucknerian should know it!
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There is a 4th disc of comparative 1878/80 excerpts including the 1878 “Volksfest” finale, which Bruckner rewrote extensively for the familiar 1880 version. It is very different from the latter, but again essential listening for all devotees, and beautifully done here. This is especially important considering how many Brucknerians feel a shade disappointed by the familiar 1880 finale compared to its earlier movements.. Listening closely to 1878, but especially 1874 and 1888, you may feel that Bruckner creates even more successful structures in those very distinct creations, than in the well-known one.
(The problem with 1888 is the diminuendo at the end of the first scherzo, and the sharp cut in its repeat; these haven’t worn well; a pity, given the fresh beauties of orchestration throughout, and the finale’s greater drama and continuity. This is the version favoured by Knappertsbush and Furtwangler - but Furtwangler restored the scherzo cuts…)
A wonderful set, which will keep occupying my attentions for weeks to come….
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NB....This set is due for Review in Saturday 23/10/21 RR.... Tom Service should give a good account of it, he's a fine Brucknerian.
Last edited by jayne lee wilson; 22-10-21, 21:07.Comment
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