Bruckner 8 debate anyone??

[Renfield]

     Last night at work I listened to the Karajan/BPO EMI recording, which doesn't get much comment here. I guess it's considered a lesser performance next to the other Karajans.

Absolutely not.

To begin with, Deryck Cooke had declared it one of the greatest recordings he'd ever heard, thus establishing quite a precedent of sympathy and/or adulation, in the British music press (at least). And as regards "comment", the OP mentioned in in his list, and I mentioned it two or three times.

I rank it almost as highly as I do the 1988, my favourite Bruckner 8th, for what it's worth; as with the BPO (EMI) 7th, vs. the VPO version.

[drogulus]

     Ah, so I'm not alone then. I thought the reference in the OP was to another recording. Now I see Sarge and Spitvalve also mentioned it.

[Haffner]

Absolutely not.

To begin with, Deryck Cooke had declared it one of the greatest recordings he'd ever heard

Terrific writer.

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

Wow, didn't know people also admire Giulini's B8. I'll get it if I can. Wand/BPO used to be my favorite here. I also love Giulinis B7 (as much as "Karajans last").

[jlaurson]

This just in:


Haitink, Staatskapelle Dresden - Haenssler PROFIL 07057
The 8th is taken from the first concert that the StakapD. was able to play at the Semperoper after the great flood of 2002.
Coupled with a Mozart Symphony that was recorded live at a 'Flood Benefit Concert ' ("A Concert for Dresden") on Sep. 2nd 2002 at the Palace of Culture.

Sounds pretty good, but perhaps just a little 'hazy'.

[Lethevich]

I have to hear that Jochum again; I recall having heard it once, but remember neither the when, or the where.

It may have been from OperaShare and Co. - it began to do the rounds on the 'tubes a few years ago along with a 9th (Munich Phil), both hideously OOP. If I recall correctly both were 320 bitrate rips, which was nice. I can upload them if you can't find them.

[Herman]

This just in:


Haitink, Staatskapelle Dresden - Haenssler PROFIL 07057
The 8th is taken from the first concert that the StakapD. was able to play at the Semperoper after the great flood of 2002.
Coupled with a Mozart Symphony that was recorded live at a 'Flood Benefit Concert ' ("A Concert for Dresden") on Sep. 2nd 2002 at the Palace of Culture.

Sounds pretty good, but perhaps just a little 'hazy'.

I have Bruckner 6 from the same series with Haitink / Dresden

[jlaurson]

I have Bruckner 6 from the same series with Haitink / Dresden
 

Judging from hearing the 8th once, I'd say that the while that 6th is a contender for top-choice (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=121),
the 8th is merely an very good addition to the vast discography.

[Herman]

Interesting. I'm not totally persuaded by Haitink's 1st mvt yet, and perhaps I'd rate the Blomstedt SFO higher (and my rating an American orchestra is a pretty unique event in history).

Maybe we should have a B6 thread soon.

[DarkAngel]

Best Bruckner 8th that most people have never heard: Maazel/BPO



This is a real sleeper at budget price level on 1 CD, accidently found this by buying all available versions on CD that were cheap and
this just knocked me out. I had no hope that it would be good and expected to quickly discard this but now it ranks in my top 5-10 of all versions and higher than Giulini/DG version for me, very good sound quality also

[Haffner]

Best Bruckner 8th that most people have never heard: Maazel/BPO



This is a real sleeper at budget price level on 1 CD, accidently found this by buying all available versions on CD that were cheap and
this just knocked me out. I had no hope that it would be good and expected to quickly discard this but now it ranks in my top 5-10 of all versions and higher than Giulini/DG version for me, very good sound quality also

This doesn't surprise me. Maazel can be a fascinating conductor. Have to check that one out.

[ChamberNut]

I just listened to portions of Tintner's Bruckner 8th on Naxos on-line, and I must say I did not enjoy it.

It seemed really sluggish, with little momentum.  It clocks in at over 89 minutes.

Jochum's with SD is just over 76 minutes.  Must be a difference in version used, perhaps?  Tintner's version recorded is the Nowak, 1887.  Jochum's isn't specified on the EMI label (the only one of the 9 symphonies that I didn't specify which version recorded, weird )

[King Karajan]

I just listened to portions of Tintner's Bruckner 8th on Naxos on-line, and I must say I did not enjoy it.

It seemed really sluggish, with little momentum.  It clocks in at over 89 minutes.

Jochum's with SD is just over 76 minutes.  Must be a difference in version used, perhaps?  Tintner's version recorded is the Nowak, 1887.  Jochum's isn't specified on the EMI label (the only one of the 9 symphonies that I didn't specify which version recorded, weird )

Don't get to caught up in the "versions" of 8th's. There are many and can differ in length by 10 to 15 minutes. I have heard a dozen 8th's of all versions, and if played and conducted well it is fantastic. Tintner can be hit or miss in Bruckner but in general I find the Naxos set to be good quality at budget price. Although a great used cd store with second hand cd's is even better. I've made a library of 8th's over the years for between 3 to 8 dollars per!

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

Anyone knowing the Wand/Münchner PO recording, it's been recorded live in 09/2000. I don't know it. Opinions?

[Renfield]

This just in:


Haitink, Staatskapelle Dresden - Haenssler PROFIL 07057
The 8th is taken from the first concert that the StakapD. was able to play at the Semperoper after the great flood of 2002.
Coupled with a Mozart Symphony that was recorded live at a 'Flood Benefit Concert ' ("A Concert for Dresden") on Sep. 2nd 2002 at the Palace of Culture.

Sounds pretty good, but perhaps just a little 'hazy'.

I haven't listened to the 8th yet, but the Mozart I greatly enjoyed! I wouldn't consider Haitink such a supple Mozartian.

Best Bruckner 8th that most people have never heard: Maazel/BPO



This is a real sleeper at budget price level on 1 CD, accidently found this by buying all available versions on CD that were cheap and
this just knocked me out. I had no hope that it would be good and expected to quickly discard this but now it ranks in my top 5-10 of all versions and higher than Giulini/DG version for me, very good sound quality also

Yes indeed, it is good; but "for my money", what it lacks is the distinction (in more than one sense) of the A+ list.

But it's certainly a very solid A, and an ideal "single recording to have" for affordability. One would only miss what's missing, so to speak, if one went from, say,  Karajan '88 to it (they were recorded the same year, IIRC), but on its own, it's a great achievement by Maazel.


Re versions, Jochum certainly - persistently - conducts that version where the second movement's opening "phrases" aren't played legato. That always gets to me, used to the Karajan as I am, and it has to be the version, as the difference is quite pronounced.

Re Tintner, I'm not mad about his 8th either, but his 9th, for instance, is very notable.


Edit: Re Wand/Munich, I have that disc. I can push it up in my listening queue if you want an opinion urgently!

(For what it's worth, the 4th from that same Hänssler edition, which I have in full, enchanted me: I think it's the best I've heard from Wand.)

[Opus106]

Tintner was known to use the "Original Bruckner," if I'm not mistaken. The closest you can get to conductor's truest intentions, perhaps? 

Ray, Jochum recorded the Nowak [1955] edition for EMI, according John Berky.

The version I have (the Bamberg one mentioned earlier), is about 82 minutes long. This is the only symphony of the last three of Bruckner's that I'm yet to "break into." During the two or three times I have listened to this, I wasn't able to make a connection (for want of a better word) from the beginning to the end. (No, I'm not looking for a programme behind the music; it's just that I forget what happened before. ) I have another one, quicker by 10 minutes, performed by Beinum and the then Amsterdam Concertgebouw. It's from 1955 and the sound is less than ideal.

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

Edit: Re Wand/Munich, I have that disc. I can push it up in my listening queue if you want an opinion urgently!

(For what it's worth, the 4th from that same Hänssler edition, which I have in full, enchanted me: I think it's the best I've heard from Wand.)

Not urgent Hey the fourth with MPO is a good chance to have a modern Wand recording WITHOUT COUGHS. The Wand/BPO/B4 has quite a few in the Andante  .

[Bulldog]

Edit: Re Wand/Munich, I have that disc. I can push it up in my listening queue if you want an opinion urgently!

A "listening queue" is an interesting idea that I've never initiated.  Currently I only have listening confusion - I think about my 10,000 cds, downloads, Naxos Music Library, then decide what to hear.  Actually, I kind of like it this way.  Every day is a musical surprise.

[jlaurson]

Anyone knowing the Wand/Münchner PO recording, it's been recorded live in 09/2000. I don't know it. Opinions?

I have almost all the PROFIL/Haenssler Bruckner recordings with Wand... and perhaps I was undone by my high expectations. Only the 9th with Stuttgart is really adding something for me (so far), whereas this 8th has (so far) not pushed itself all the way up in my list of notables.

[ChamberNut]

Ray, Jochum recorded the Nowak [1955] edition for EMI, according John Berky.

The version I have (the Bamberg one mentioned earlier), is about 82 minutes long. This is the only symphony of the last three of Bruckner's that I'm yet to "break into." During the two or three times I have listened to this, I wasn't able to make a connection (for want of a better word) from the beginning to the end. (No, I'm not looking for a programme behind the music; it's just that I forget what happened before. ) I have another one, quicker by 10 minutes, performed by Beinum and the then Amsterdam Concertgebouw. It's from 1955 and the sound is less than ideal.

Thanks, Nav.  The 8th (along with the 5th) were by far, the symphonies I listened to the most in 2008.  I think it is probably (but not a guarantee) just a matter of time and the right recording that will make you connect big time with this masterpiece.  0:)