Bruckner's lesser known symphonies

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

I just ordered the Jochum set from Amazon.ca and am eagerly awaiting its arrival.

I have not seen any discussions of Bruckner's symphonies 1-3 (g'head DIG ONE UP, I DARE YOU!  ), and not very many on 6 and 7.  I suppose 4, 5, 8, and 9 are his most popular. What are people's opinions of these lesser-known works?

[Bonehelm]

The 7 is actually very popular. Along with the 4, it is a pair for starters. Enjoy the melodies of the 7!

[mahlertitan]

I think it's about time that we start to discuss his piano works.

[val]

XB-70 Valkyrie

I just ordered the Jochum set from Amazon.ca and am eagerly awaiting its arrival.

I have not seen any discussions of Bruckner's symphonies 1-3. What are people's opinions of these lesser-known works?

The 3rd is a beautiful work, in special the first movement, with the unforgettable motive in the strings preceding the first theme, and creating an intense feeling of mystery.

The Adagio of the second is another beautiful moment of inspiration. But in Jochum's version, the solo in the coda of the movement is played by a clarinet, when the original intent of Bruckner was a horn. The horn creates a magical moment, much better than the clarinet. The recording of Chailly, that follows the first version of the Symphony, uses the horn.
The Scherzo of the 2nd is also one of the best written by Bruckner.

[david johnson]

?  i did not know that anyone considered 3 as lesser known.
i love 3 and really dig 6.

dj

[Grazioso]

6 has long been one of my favorites, with a more abstract, "absolute music" feel than some of the other late symphonies, and of course some great themes. But if you want to talk about lesser-known, grossly under-appreciated Bruckner, consider his string quintet, which very much fits in with his symphonies in terms of scope and construction and overall feel. Probably his most beautiful adagio, too.

[jochanaan]

"Lesser-known" is of course a relative term when referring to Bruckner's symphonies.  During his lifetime, only the Fourth and Seventh attained any popularity; but since his death there has been a constant rise in appreciation for all his music.  (Agree completely about the string quintet! )

I feel the First and Second, although they share many of the mature Bruckner's qualities, are more "earthy" and less solemn than his later ones, and do not take one on quite the emotional journey that, say, the Ninth does--yet there's a lot of good music there that I love to listen to.  But with the Third we have all the solemn majesty of the mature Bruckner, together with considerable emotional conflict, especially in the last movement.

The Fifth is a triumph of absolute music, his most monumental except for the Eighth and the uncompleted Ninth, and the most masterful in form (although who knows whether the Ninth might have bested it in its final form?).  It builds on me like a Bach fugue, and the end, weaving together all the main ideas from the entire symphony, seems to set my spirit soaring in the heavens.  But in complete contrast, the Sixth is his most ambivalent symphony; you never know until the very end whether it will end in triumph or despair or even neutrality!

Many of the old commentators saw Bruckner as "Wagner in symphonic form."  But he really wasn't; his heart was in a very different place than that of the madman of Bayreuth. For one thing, while Wagner had no use for any of the Medieval or Renaissance composers, Bruckner obviously knew and loved them; you hear their influence especially in his E minor Mass and other choral music.  And his choice, conscious or otherwise, to stay away from Wagnerian music-drama seems to reflect something in his character.

[karlhenning]

. . . For one thing, while Wagner had no use for any of the Medieval or Renaissance composers . . . .

Apart from the self-serving exploitation of the Mastersingers as a trope for his own suuuuper geeenius, you mean 

[M forever]

Envy makes you look green and leads to the dark side, karlhenning.

[karlhenning]

Envy makes you look green and leads to the dark side, karlhenning.

Indeed it would, if it were a matter of envy, M.

I have no wish to be a Wagner.  I am having far too exhilirating a time being Henning.  So rest easy, lad!

[BachQ]

?  i did not know that anyone considered 3 as lesser known.
i love 3 and really dig 6.

No. 3 (in d minor) is hardly "lesser known" ........ as many have it among their favorites ..........

[Sergeant Rock]

The Adagio of the second is another beautiful moment of inspiration. But in Jochum's version, the solo in the coda of the movement is played by a clarinet, when the original intent of Bruckner was a horn. The horn creates a magical moment, much better than the clarinet. The recording of Chailly, that follows the first version of the Symphony, uses the horn.

Anyone who is interested in the original version of this symphony but doesn't want to invest in the Chailly/Bruckner box or pay a silly price for the OOP single disc (€40 in Europe or $77 in the States) can hear it performed by Tintner (Naxos).

Sarge

[M forever]

If you are really fast, you can click here and download Blomstedt's awesome live original version of the 3rd from Leipzig. I uploaded that 14 days ago for a friend, the upload expires sometimes "today", so if you want it, act immediately!

[Bonehelm]

If you are really fast, you can click here and download Blomstedt's awesome live original version of the 3rd from Leipzig. I uploaded that 14 days ago for a friend, the upload expires sometimes "today", so if you want it, act immediately!

Thanks, M !

[PSmith08]

Thanks, M !

Second! Really nice performance: I had no idea Blomstedt was such a fine Bruckner conductor, though I admit that I haven't followed his recorded career closely.

[Lilas Pastia]

Too late! 

[Israfel the Black]

The Third is among Bruckner's most finest symphonies, even Wagner realized its greatness

I rank them as such:

9, 4, 5, 3, 7, 8, 6, 2, 1

[M forever]

Second! Really nice performance: I had no idea Blomstedt was such a fine Bruckner conductor, though I admit that I haven't followed his recorded career closely.

Blomstedt is still alive. He did make a number of other very good Bruckner recordings, including a very fne 4th with the SFS and a great 7th with the SD.

Too late! 

Myabe some other time. I got to much stuff going on right now to rip and upload it again. Sorry.

[M forever]

Indeed it would, if it were a matter of envy, M.

I have no wish to be a Wagner.  I am having far too exhilirating a time being Henning.  So rest easy, lad!

I didn't think you would want to *be* Wagner. That would bring far too many problems with it. Plus, they didn't have good dental care back than.
What I meant is that I am sure you wouldn't mind having at least a few percent of that suuuuper geeenius.

[jochanaan]

I didn't think you would want to *be* Wagner. That would bring far too many problems with it. Plus, they didn't have good dental care back than.
What I meant is that I am sure you wouldn't mind having at least a few percent of that suuuuper geeenius.

Henning's genius is of a rather different order, as I know from playing a couple of his pieces for woodwinds.  He needs none of Wagner's; he's got his own.