Bruckner motets

[verismissimo]

I feel in need of a good recording of Bruckner's motets.

Recommendations please.

[freegoat]

I have Jochum's recording on DG which I like very much. It's a while since I've heard this, so it's up next - thanks for the prompt. Incidentally, there was a fascinating Discovering Music on Bruckner's motets - I wonder if this is still available through the Radio 3 site?

I also meant to add - I don't think Jochum's recording is of all Bruckner's motets. I think the Corydon Singers might have done an integrale if that's what you're after, but I'm not sure.

[Lizzie]

I've had a copy of the Bruckner Motets by the Corydon Singers for many years and it remains one of my favourite cds from my collection. The Choir at Winchester sang that Ave Maria at the Advent Carol Service on Saturday evening and believe me, it sounded very special. Liz

[MickyD]

Funny coincidence, verismissimo, I'm looking for a recording as well. I would go for the Corydon Singers for completeness, but I hear that a newer selection, along with the E minor Mass, recorded by Polyphony and Stephen Layton, is even better. There is also a similar coupling from Herreweghe which I would think is also worth a listen. Decisions, decisions!

[Steerpike]

Among others, I've got Corydon and Jochum and they're both worth having. But, whatever you get, I suggest you supplement it with the Naxos / Robert Jones CD. It's very good, if perhaps not as super-refined as some others, but that brings its own benefits. Particularly, the disc gives the pleasure of hearing Locus iste at a more flowing tempo that usual - and of course, it's cheap!

[Roehre]

The Grasberger Werkverzeichnis Anton Bruckner (WAB) lists 54 works Geistliche Vokalmusik [Sacred vocal music], but this includes all the Masses and the Requiem and some occasional German-texted songlike choruses as well. These works are in alphabetical order WAB 1-54 (Btw, the WAB lists in total 144 works, but after its publication some other works have emerged, and WAB does not count the different versions by Bruckner himself, either of the symphonies or of the great masses).

I am afraid there are some 39 or 40 real motets by Bruckner of which approximately half most likely never has been recorded. We have to keep in mind that it was Jochum during his recording of the 3 great masses who got the idea to use the Bavarian SO Choir for a selection of the Motets in the 1970s. These are the most important ones, and were originally used as fillers for the 3Masses and the DGG Bruckner Symphonies-set (1958-1970 IIRC).

To make matters complicated: Bruckner used the same texts sometimes even a couple of times.
3 Asperges Me
3 Ave Maria
3 Christus factus est
2 Inveni David
2 Libera Me, Domine
3 Pange Lingua (plus 1 Pange Lingua et Tantum ergo)
7 Tantum ergo (plus 1 Pange Lingua et Tantum ergo)
2 totenlieder

My personal choice for the motets all have been mentioned in this thread already.
I love the Jochum [especially -if you can put hand on it- in the Bruckner Sacred Music 4 CD box on DGG] and the Jones, but my first choice at this moment would be the Croydon singers on Hyperion. Some of the lesser known motets can be found mixed among other works on collection CDs, but as unfortunately the WAB number are not mentioned, it is often guessing which work actually is represented on such CDs.

[Keraulophone]

I hear that a newer selection, along with the E minor Mass, recorded by Polyphony and Stephen Layton, is even better.

This Hyperion recording from Jan.'07 includes seven motets: Ave Maria, Locus iste, Christus factus est, Vexilla regis, Os Justi, Virga Jesse & Pange Lingua. As with some of their other CDs, like their Poulenc Motets, Polyphony's singing under Layton is so pristine and controlled that it almost seems too perfect. One can certainly admire such singing, but in Bruckner it ultimately leaves me cold. This effect does not seem to be so damaging in something like Arvo Part, which sounds just as it should. On balance, I'd go for a larger, preferably continental, choir. There are a dozen or so recordings in this list:

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/sea...ruckner+motets The Czech Phil Ch, Brno disc looks interesting - and you get to hear the three trombones in 'Ecce sacerdos' in surround sound SACD.

[sigolene euphemia]

Good Morning,

So refreshing to be here. I had thought upon coming across the closing of the BBC3 boards a mere two days ago that I would be without this varied community but HERE IT IS. Beautiful. Thank you French Frank.

Bruckner is still a new listen to me. Yesterday we listened to ~
Anton Bruckner: Symphony No.8 in c
Bavarian Radio Symphony / Rafael Kubelik
BR Klassik 900703

warm wishes,
Sigolene

[antongould]

I have the Herreweghe which I really enjoy. Does music come much better than Locus iste?

[DracoM]

I'm with Lizzie on this for an allround set - the Corydon / Best.

[Lizzie]

I'm with Lizzie on this for an allround set - the Corydon / Best.

Always one of the ones I travel with plus Sibelius Greatest Hits!

[BBMmk2]

Hasn't The Sixteen/Harry Christophers recorded them?

[Roehre]

Hasn't The Sixteen/Harry Christophers recorded them?

Unfortunately only a selection.

[Chris Newman]

I agree that the Hyperion recording of the motets with the Corydon Singers under Matthew Best is fantastic. Reviews often misname them the Croydon Singers which sounds a little less pastoral. Eugen Jochum is excellent too.