How does one begin to appreciate Bruckner??? Help needed!

[Brian]

the Adagio of the 8th, it's about 30 minutes long, listen to it regular for about a year, then branch out as your love grows, hope this helps.

Wow, I don't know how anyone can listen to the Adagio of the 8th "regularly" - it's too powerful an experience. You'd be in a constant state of spiritual transcendence. I think if I listened to the Adagio from the 8th even just once a week, I'd be crying all the time! 

[ajlee]

Wow! What a wealth of info from so many people! Thanks!

I shall embark on my journey to Bruckner acceptance---and hopefully, eventually, love.

That said, which conductors do you think are great in Bruckner? I know Jochum is---he seems to be one of the universally admired Brucknerian. I also heard Bohm (I have his 4th), Klemperer (I have his 6th), and Wand are all great.

[mc ukrneal]

Wow! What a wealth of info from so many people! Thanks!

I shall embark on my journey to Bruckner acceptance---and hopefully, eventually, love.

That said, which conductors do you think are great in Bruckner? I know Jochum is---he seems to be one of the universally admired Brucknerian. I also heard Bohm (I have his 4th), Klemperer (I have his 6th), and Wand are all great.

Haitink and Karajan as well. Both get under the skin in this music.

[Lethevich]

Jochum jigs up the dynamics a lot - I didn't realise this at first when listening, but I think somebody described it as "Beethoven-ising" Bruckner.

Karajan is exceptional in his late recordings of the 7th and 8th, and also in his slightly earlier EMI 4th which sounds utterly spectacular. As you enjoy Böhm's 4th, perhaps his 8th would be a natural thing to check next - there are several slightly different recordings available, but the DG is generally most acclaimed.

[The new erato]

I also heard Bohm (I have his 4th), Klemperer (I have his 6th), and Wand are all great.

Bøhms 4th was the first classical disc I bought, in 1972. Thus started the long road towards ruin.

[Mirror Image]

Jochum jigs up the dynamics a lot - I didn't realise this at first when listening, but I think somebody described it as "Beethoven-ising" Bruckner.

Karajan is exceptional in his late recordings of the 7th and 8th, and also in his slightly earlier EMI 4th which sounds utterly spectacular. As you enjoy Böhm's 4th, perhaps his 8th would be a natural thing to check next - there are several slightly different recordings available, but the DG is generally most acclaimed.

I'm not a big fan of Jochum in general, so both of his Bruckner cycles did little for me. I think the man absolutely butchered the music. This, of course, is just my opinion and I know I'm in the minority on this one, which is fine, but Wand, Chailly, Giullini, and Bohm are my conductors of choice in Bruckner.

[Brahmsian]

I'm not a big fan of Jochum in general, so both of his Bruckner cycles did little for me. I think the man absolutely butchered the music. This, of course, is just my opinion and I know I'm in the minority on this one, which is fine, but Wand, Chailly, Giullini, and Bohm are my conductors of choice in Bruckner.

Yes, it really is to each their own with Bruckner conductors.  For me, Jochum/SD does pretty much everything for me.  The Giullini/WP however was a breakthrough for the 7th.

[Mirror Image]

Yes, it really is to each their own with Bruckner conductors.  For me, Jochum/SD does pretty much everything for me.  The Giullini/WP however was a breakthrough for the 7th.

I always loved Giulini's 9th. One of the best recordings of I've heard of this symphony and the Vienna Philharmonic were just outstanding in this recording.

[Octo_Russ]

Don't forget Barenboim, Blomstedt, Solti, Harnoncourt, and Sinopoli, each have something really special to say, my one favourite above all others is Gunter Wand, a Brucknerian of real substance.

[Lethevich]

I'm not a big fan of Jochum in general, so both of his Bruckner cycles did little for me.

Have you heard his very late recordings? There are a live 8th and 9th (the 8th in Japan with the Bambergers) kicking around that are different in style to his earlier recordings - more relaxed but very powerful.

[jochanaan]

Another greatly respected Bruckner conductor--if you can find his recordings and have lots of money --is Takashi Asahina of Japan.  This long-time conductor of the Osaka Philharmonic has a unique yet very idiomatic style; he studied with Furtwangler as I recall, but his notable characteristics are a steady, deliberate pace and magnificent tone.  If you're looking for a different approach from Jochum or Wand or Celi, Asahina's work might interest you.

[Mirror Image]

Don't forget Barenboim, Blomstedt, Solti, Harnoncourt, and Sinopoli, each have something really special to say, my one favourite above all others is Gunter Wand, a Brucknerian of real substance.

I like Sinopoli pretty good. Harnoncourt is decent. Solti just doesn't have the right feel for Bruckner. Blomstedt generally bores me to tears. Barenboim's cycle is decent as well. Wand, for me, is the supreme Brucknerian.

[Brian]

Blomstedt generally bores me to tears.

Ouch. Blomstedt's Bruckner Seventh easily sits in my 'top tier' with Sanderling and (maybe) Jochum. Harnoncourt is just one tier down: a very fast account at exactly 60:00, but refreshing and engagingly phrased.

[Opus106]

Have you heard his very late recordings? There are a live 8th and 9th (the 8th in Japan with the Bambergers) kicking around that are different in style to his earlier recordings - more relaxed but very powerful.

Another greatly respected Bruckner conductor--if you can find his recordings and have lots of money --is Takashi Asahina of Japan.  This long-time conductor of the Osaka Philharmonic has a unique yet very idiomatic style; he studied with Furtwangler as I recall, but his notable characteristics are a steady, deliberate pace and magnificent tone.  If you're looking for a different approach from Jochum or Wand or Celi, Asahina's work might interest you.

John Berky offers both for free.

[Octo_Russ]

Norrington is in the middle of a Bruckner cycle, i'm thinking of trying a disc, any feelings on this board for his style?, is he any good?.

[DavidRoss]

Wow! What a wealth of info from so many people! Thanks!

That said, which conductors do you think are great in Bruckner?

As you can see, ajlee, the wealth of info includes so many opinions that nearly every conductor who ever recorded Bruckner's music has his advocates here.  If you're hoping for a clear consensus, you may be out of luck.

Other than the enjoyable camaraderie among many members, what I've found most valuable at GMG are the informed recommendations from others whose tastes in general are similar to my own.  To learn who those stalwarts might be for you, and thus whose advice re. Bruckner conductors might most benefit you, I suggest reading the threads devoted to other composers whose works (and recordings) you're more familiar with.  You'll probably identify a few contributors whose tastes parallel your own...as well as some who have no taste and either like or hate everything equally, and some whose taste opposes yours.  Note that the last can be as helpful as the first! 

Regardless of what you find, I'm sure that most everyone will welcome you to the site and be happy to share their enthusiasms with you.  Happy hunting!

[Brahmsian]

Ajlee, perhaps you could try Tintner, on the Naxos label?  He is not my cup of tea for Bruckner, but his set is highly acclaimed, and a lot of people swear by him.

[Brian]

Norrington is in the middle of a Bruckner cycle, i'm thinking of trying a disc, any feelings on this board for his style?, is he any good?.

Sarge and I had a discussion about those in the listening thread just last night. The gist was: his Fourth is awesome but slightly eccentric, his Seventh is bizarre, and ... darn, I forgot what Sarge said about his Third. Just go read it! 

[Sergeant Rock]

Norrington is in the middle of a Bruckner cycle, i'm thinking of trying a disc, any feelings on this board for his style?, is he any good?.

If you want to sample Norrington's Bruckner, try his Sixth. Here's my review

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,29.msg415558.html#msg415558

and check out Jens review at Ionarts.

Norrington's Fourth is really good too but it's the first version, very different from the Fourth we all know and love.

Sarge

[Sergeant Rock]

Sarge and I had a discussion about those in the listening thread just last night. The gist was: his Fourth is awesome but slightly eccentric, his Seventh is bizarre, and ... darn, I forgot what Sarge said about his Third. Just go read it! 

I haven't listened to the Stuttgart Third yet. Bought it last May but I'm saving it for a special occasion 

Sarge