Bruckner

[Bryn]

Definitely not intended as a footnote to Holst!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEf6oYgAWSE

. . .

I lob 'em up. You smash 'em back across the net.

[Leinster Lass]

Not disagreeing that it's wonderful music, but I'd recommend 6, as you'll get a whole symphony and only a few minutes longer - and the slow movement contains the nearest thing I can recall in Bruckner to a Mahlerian melody, like the sun breaking through alpine gloom, which turns into a restrained little funeral march for good measure. It's an AB that doesn't outstay its welcome and is relatively approachable.

Dare you risk opprobrium (a word I discovered recently) by naming and shaming those that do?

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Dare you risk opprobrium (a word I discovered recently) by naming and shaming those that do?

Now we're in dangerous territory.

Well, let's put it this way: even as one familiar with nos 3 to 9, I've found that my more recent forays into the unpruned earlier efforts (and original/earlier versions thereof) have taken more effort. Or maybe I've assimilated the later works over a much longer period; and let's face it, they get much more concert exposure, so while I've lost count of the number of times I've heard 3-9 in concert, I've only ever heard the others in recordings.

[jayne lee wilson]

May I just take time to thank everybody who answered, or attempted to answer, my innocent enquiry. As it's not at all clear where any further exploration on my part should start - dare I call it a running order? - and I wouldn't necessarily understand the reasons for any particular recommendation, I have concluded that I shan't actually miss much, if anything, by letting Anton proceed on his mystical, magisterial way without me. I shall head, more or less cheerfully, into the darkness without him.

Might it be helpful - it won't matter to me, but it might be helpful for other potential Brucknerphiles - if the various knowledgeable contributors .
to this lively and sometimes baffling discussion could agree among themselves as to which is the best symphony with which to start?

I'm happy to admit that I probably wouldn't recognise a 'gratuitous display of erudition' if even if it stared at me, Larry David-style, until I twigged what it was.

Sadly, I don't really have enough time to spend (waste) time googling every confusing word, phrase* or concept that crops up in some posts, and I must find time to continue to work my way through my book of (London) Times Cryptic Crosswords, which I find considerably less challenging - and then there's the Match Of The Day from Dublin at lunchtime

(* Duck Duck Go It = ? - it's OK, I don't imagine I'll ever encounter it again, let alone use it)

Apparently Roussel is worth investigating - well, at least he didn't write 11 lengthy symphonies!

Well, this may confuse even more but I would still say - start with the Bruckner 1 - that addictive catchy opening (so reminiscent of Schubert's 9th (ii), andante con moto, you know that one?) - should get you going.....No.1 is around 45 minutes and utterly self-contained.

As for Roussel.... as a Roussel obsessive I can only say: don't get me started! But since I'm here: go for Symphonies 3&4 plus the ballets: The Spider's Feast (yes, a ballet about insects) and Bacchus et Ariane....

[Leinster Lass]

Well, this may confuse even more but I would still say - start with the Bruckner 1 - that addictive catchy opening (so reminiscent of Schubert's 9th (ii), andante con moto, you know that one?) - should get you going.....No.1 is around 45 minutes and utterly self-contained.

As for Roussel.... as a Roussel obsessive I can only say: don't get me started! But since I'm here: go for Symphonies 3&4 plus the ballets: The Spider's Feast (yes, a ballet about insects) and Bacchus et Ariane....

It's OK, thanks, Jayne, I've already ordered the Erato Roussel Edition as recommended by other Forum members.

[cloughie]

It’s official Jayne’s favourite today is 7 (seven)

[gurnemanz]

It’s official Jayne’s favourite today is 7 (seven)

Not interested.

[cloughie]

Not interested.

Commiserations gurn, nothing much anyone can say that will make it better!

[gurnemanz]

Commiserations gurn, nothing much anyone can say that will make it better!

Feared the worst. Only good thing was that I didn't see it. We met up with our daughter and partner down from London for outdoor pub lunch and present exchange. Good thing we got it in before latest clampdown.

[Alison]

So no votes to start with 2, 3, 5 or 9! Or O.

[cloughie]

So no votes to start with 2, 3, 5 or 9! Or O.

If starting all over again possibly Gunter Wand’s 5!

[Leinster Lass]

If starting all over again possibly Gunter Wand’s 5!

Perhaps somebody could kindly produce and update a league table reflecting the latest recommendations for where to start one's Great Bruckner Trek?

[duncan]

May I just take time to thank everybody who answered, or attempted to answer, my innocent enquiry. As it's not at all clear where any further exploration on my part should start - dare I call it a running order? - and I wouldn't necessarily understand the reasons for any particular recommendation, I have concluded that I shan't actually miss much, if anything, by letting Anton proceed on his mystical, magisterial way without me. I shall head, more or less cheerfully, into the darkness without him.

Might it be helpful - it won't matter to me, but it might be helpful for other potential Brucknerphiles - if the various knowledgeable contributors .
to this lively and sometimes baffling discussion could agree among themselves as to which is the best symphony with which to start?

I came to Bruckner relatively late in life and via live performances. Those brass outbursts followed by pauses... make sense in a big echoing acoustic like a cathedral or the Albert Hall. Bruckner symphonies are the antithesis of background music and really don’t work for me unless I’m paying full attention. I can completely see how you wouldn’t be grabbed half-listening to a radio broadcast. I’d also suggest starting with number 7 and give it two or three proper listens.

Having said all that, it’s also fine to have a blind spot for a particular composer. Puccini leaves me cold despite a lot of exposure over the years. My loss I’m sure.

[cloughie]

Perhaps somebody could kindly produce and update a league table reflecting the latest recommendations for where to start one's Great Bruckner Trek?

Take 11 small pieces of paper or card, write the name of a symphony on each and then select your favourite hat, place the cards in the chosen hat and then draw one out and throw it away - do this ten times until there is one left - then with the last one - read it out and this symphony is the specially chosen one to start the AB journey. Listen and learn - any difficulties encountered, anything yo7 need to know - just ask Jayne!

[Leinster Lass]

Take 11 small pieces of paper or card, write the name of a symphony on each and then select your favourite hat, place the cards in the chosen hat and then draw one out and throw it away - do this ten times until there is one left - then with the last one - read it out and this symphony is the specially chosen one to start the AB journey. Listen and learn - any difficulties encountered, anything yo7 need to know - just ask Jayne!

... with Rudy Giuliani acting as arbitrator when disputes arise (which they will, I would think).
Re # 373 (just for the record) - I have heard all of Nos. 0, 4 and 6 to 9 more than once over the years and attended a performance of No. 4 in the Royal Festival Hall London many years ago.