Prom 63: Messiaen/Mozart/Bruckner (2.09.15)

[Darkbloom]

You make a fair point ... Furtwangler's 1942 Fifth works amazingly well too.

However, a brisk 7th sounds quite ridiculous to my ears but obviously not to others here.

Never mind!

I agree, with the exception of the last couple of minutes when he takes it way too fast and ruins what is surely one of the most majestic endings to a symphony there has ever been. He gets carried away at the last and the momentum dissipates.

[Barbirollians]

I blame HvK (that 1957 BPO 8th) for the trend of slooowwwww Bruckner, unfortunately taken up by the likes of other - rather lesser - conductors. Eduard van Beinum's 7th sits alongside Furtwängler as a fine counterblast to marmoreal Bruckner.

try also Barbirolli's live 8th on BBC Legends - wonderfully propulsive

[Roehre]

Bruckner isn't bombast at all he's the very antithesis of it ... or at least should be!

... he didn't prance about composing silly love-songs .....

Quadrille für Klavier zu 4 Händen WAB121; Ständchen WAB84; Stille Betrachtung an einem Herbstabend WAB123; Zur Vermählungsfeier WAB54

[Nick Armstrong]

try also Barbirolli's live 8th on BBC Legends - wonderfully propulsive

Likewise Tennstedt's studio LPO recording on EMI

[P. G. Tipps]

try also Barbirolli's live 8th on BBC Legends - wonderfully propulsive

I purchased that years ago, as it happens.

Who needs 'wonderful propulsion' in Bruckner? In any case, Barbirolli's 8th is now little more than an historic curiosity for music folk in the UK (except maybe proud Mancunians!) and largely ignored elsewhere.

It's also just fine for the 'kiss-me-quick, thrill-me-now' music lover', I agree ...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Who needs 'wonderful propulsion' in Bruckner?

Bruckner.

[teamsaint]

Bruckner.

and nobody needs terrible propulsion in their music.

I think.

although I would imagine MrGG would know of some that he would recommend.....

( I wish these spuds would hurry up and cook......)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

and nobody needs terrible propulsion in their music.

I think.

although I would imagine MrGG would know of some that he would recommend.....

( I wish these spuds would hurry up and cook......)

Your argument is in tatties.

[teamsaint]

Your argument is in tatties.

fair comment.

I'll jacket in.

[Nick Armstrong]

I'm afraid the Bruckner completely lacked 'mystery' for me.

I thought it was a refreshing performance. There was a lightness, crispness (even from the brass) and clarity that prompted me to remind myself this was coming from the RAH.

Bruckner isn't all bombast. We usually see pictures of him as a miserable looking old man, but surprisingly he was young once, and spent much time chasing young ladies (if only in his head).

He wrote the 7th in his youthful 50s.

I had a good listen again to this Bruckner 7 at the weekend.

I could hear all the virtues Flay lists.. but throughout like Mr Tipps had a sense of something missing, but I found it hard to put a finger on. Mystery, perhaps... Certainly not 'bombast' or 'grandeur' or a 'marmoreal Cathedral in sound' aspect (I truly disliked those late Karajan recordings).

Afterwards I listened to one of my most recent acquisitions, the LPO Live recording of Bruckner 3 conducted by the almost-nonagenarian Stanislaw Skrowaczewski last year.

Now THAT's a Bruckner performance. Every phrase, every bar, seems to say something over and above just the sound. Not sure what, but it kept me riveted 100 times more than the Prom No. 7. There has to be something more than just a trim, crisp rendition of the notes.

Was invited this evening to Haitink's performance of No 7 next Tuesday with the LSO (with Perahia in Mozart as a bonus!) - we shall see.....!!!

[Bryn]

Bruckner.

You just have to face it, some just like their Bruckner stodgy and their tea stewed. Celi somehow got away with drawn out Bruckner, but I like mine with a bit more pep.

Now where's that Herreweghe Bruckner 7?

[Nick Armstrong]

You just have to face it, some just like their Bruckner stodgy and their tea stewed. Celi somehow got away with drawn out Bruckner, but I like mine with a bit more pep.

Can't recall how you found that Segerstam 8, Bryn. The musical equivalent of tea you can stand your spoon up in?

I thought he got away with it like Celi.

But do listen to the Skrow/LPO No 3 (if you haven't already) - loads of pep !!

[teamsaint]

Can't recall how you found that Segerstam 8, Bryn. The musical equivalent of tea you can stand your spoon up in?

I thought he got away with it like Celi.

But do listen to the Skrow/LPO No 3 (if you haven't already) - loads of pep !!

It is available on spotty. i am planning to give it a spin , if I can drag myself away from the engerland match.....zzzzzz....

Bruckner 3 is described on Spotty as " Single by London Philharmonic orchestra" !!

[Nick Armstrong]

Now where's that Herreweghe Bruckner 7?

There's one on my shelf if you've lost yours!

[Bryn]

But do listen to the Skrow/LPO No 3 (if you haven't already) - loads of pep !!

I see it is also on QOBUZ, so will indeed give it a listen. The 1889 version is not the one I prefer, but note that it is here as edited by Skrowaczewski.