Bruckner: favourite symphony cycle/boxed set

[Joseph K]

At the risk of stirring, which is honestly not my intention, I'm genuinely intrigued that no mention seems to have been made of versions or editions in these recommendations, which seems to be pretty much all that IS talked about when any new recording comes out.

I'm aware about such issues; one has to start somewhere though - somewhere good preferably, and I assumed that if it was deemed relevant whatever versions/editions are used in a particular cycle then it would be mentioned.

[Richard Barrett]

At the risk of stirring, which is honestly not my intention, I'm genuinely intrigued that no mention seems to have been made of versions or editions in these recommendations, which seems to be pretty much all that IS talked about when any new recording comes out.

Frankly I can't really be bothered with all that stuff! There's only one moment where I feel strongly enough not to listen to recordings that don't conform to what I think is the optimal version, and that's the end of the first movement of no.8. Apart from that, which version a conductor chooses is, one assumes, an aspect of interpretation alongside all the other aspects, which might or might not add up to a convincing performance.

[Bert]

Frankly I can't really be bothered with all that stuff! There's only one moment where I feel strongly enough not to listen to recordings that don't conform to what I think is the optimal version, and that's the end of the first movement of no.8. Apart from that, which version a conductor chooses is, one assumes, an aspect of interpretation alongside all the other aspects, which might or might not add up to a convincing performance.

Well put

[jayne lee wilson]

It is a personal choice of course..... live on in ignorance, or dwell upon the fascinating, very precise documentation which is the result of years of devoted Brucknerian scholarship and editorial care....

Take your time now....

https://bruckner.webs.com/versions.html

[Leinster Lass]

Good point Pulc but I think if JK has one set to broadly get to know the works and then he can sign up to a tutorial series with Jayne - the 40 Days and 40 Nights version - that’s the Fast Track one he can really start getting into the real AB!

'The Wilderness Days'?

[kernelbogey]

It is a personal choice of course..... live on in ignorance, or dwell upon the fascinating, very precise documentation which is the result of years of devoted Brucknerian scholarship and editorial care....

I suspect, for Brucknerians (whoever they are ) the story of Anton being pushed this way and that by well-meaning friends and colleagues, not to mention hostility from reviewers et cetera et cetera is part of this question: What is the true version of this symphony from the composer's point of view?

But to revert to topic: I mostly listen to Jochum.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

If you want a set that doesn’t involve putting all your eggs into one basket, Decca’s Vienna Philharmonic set is worth considering. One orchestra, but with a variety of conductors.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8663230--bruckner-the-nine-symphonies

[cloughie]

I suspect, for Brucknerians (whoever they are ) the story of Anton being pushed this way and that by well-meaning friends and colleagues, not to mention hostility from reviewers et cetera et cetera is part of this question: What is the true version of this symphony from the composer's point of view?

But to revert to topic: I mostly listen to Jochum.

DG or EMI?

[Richard Barrett]

DG or EMI?

DG I hope! - the EMI recordings are quite murky in sound.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I spent a month over the summer listening to the complete Barenboim / CSO and Solti /CSO - both fine with possibly Solti having the edge . I also listened to quite a bit of Jochum / Statskapelle. Beautifully conducted but some rather dodgy brass. The reason for this eccentric selection- they are the free offers on Amazon Prime. Like a lot of people I have a cd assemblage of Karajan, Haitink etc. Rather than a complete set. I’ve got Wand on my wishlist though.

[Petrushka]

DG I hope! - the EMI recordings are quite murky in sound.

They're not murky in the latest incarnation here where an impressive clean up job has been done: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bruckner-9-...s%2C180&sr=8-1

Incidentally, the Jochum orchestral box on DG includes, as well as the standard BPO/BRSO cycle, mono recordings of 4, 7, 8 & 9 from the late 1940s/early 1950s which sound better than I would have believed possible.

[Bryn]

DG I hope! - the EMI recordings are quite murky in sound.

Back in the 1960s, as a Christmas approached, I decided it was time I got a boxed set of Bruckner Symphonies. Should it be Haitink of Jochum? Principally due to the use of Nowak editions (I was unaware, at that time, of Haas's questionable relationship with his political masters, it was simply that Nowak represented more recent scholarship). I did eventually also get Jochum's EMI survey (and the Concertgebouw Haitink) but retain a soft spot for the DGG set. The next big awakening after the Jochum DGG set was the Tintner survey, purchased as the discs were released. So good to hear what, in general, were Bruckner's first thoughts on these wonders.

[gurnemanz]

I spent a month over the summer listening to the complete Barenboim / CSO and Solti /CSO - both fine with possibly Solti having the edge . I also listened to quite a bit of Jochum / Statskapelle. Beautifully conducted but some rather dodgy brass. The reason for this eccentric selection- they are the free offers on Amazon Prime. Like a lot of people I have a cd assemblage of Karajan, Haitink etc. Rather than a complete set. I’ve got Wand on my wishlist though.

I remember a few years ago I also had Wand in my sights but at the time couldn't decide which one - Cologne, Hamburg NDR, Berlin - and ended up not acquiring any of them. The only Bruckner symphony set I have ever bought (apart from Karajan as part of his big Symphony box) is Venzago, directly influenced by Jayne's enthusiastic advocacy. No regrets. I have enjoyed the ride.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

They're not murky in the latest incarnation here where an impressive clean up job has been done: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bruckner-9-...s%2C180&sr=8-1

Incidentally, the Jochum orchestral box on DG includes, as well as the standard BPO/BRSO cycle, mono recordings of 4, 7, 8 & 9 from the late 1940s/early 1950s which sound better than I would have believed possible.

I see Presto have the same set for just a few pennies more - presumably to help them pay tax.

[Bryn]

I see Presto have the same set for just a few pennies more - presumably to help them pay tax.

I note that there is no mention of re-mastering on the box-cover illustrations and that the first customer review complains about poor sound quality.