Dilemma for Brucknerians

[Wanderer]

I like Wand's Cologne cycle but I don't think it equals Karajan's (not that it needs to, the approaches are rather different). His Munich and Berlin recordings are better than their Cologne counterparts, though not a complete cycle as already mentioned.

Edit: Striked out Munich, I was thinking of Celibidache.

[DavidW]

That's a good price, because to get this set from a decent seller on Amazon Marketplace would be same price $23 + shipping. The main difference here is your wait time.

I normally don't buy from overseas, but I do use Amazon UK on occasion, especially it if it's a box set that I can get cheaper from them.

I ordered mine from zoverstocks for $20+shipping worth the wait for overseas delivery.

[karlhenning]

My source, too, Davey!

[Mirror Image]

I've no objection to the wait time, as I have other recordings newly come in, so I've ample catch-up listening before me!

And I'm definitely slating Langgaard's Antikrist and Schnittke's Peer Gynt for the week of 18 July : )

Yes, I still need to listen to Langgaard's Antikrist. I don't even think I've taken it out of it's wrapper.

[karlhenning]

Hey, when's your vacation? ; )

[Mirror Image]

Hey, when's your vacation? ; )

I won't take another break until early August. It will be for four days.

[kishnevi]

I ordered mine from zoverstocks for $20+shipping worth the wait for overseas delivery.

We may be waiting a bit more.  I ordered the last of the EMI Argerich boxes from them over the weekend, and while it immediately came up  "to be shipped shortly--can not be cancelled" I  have yet to receive notice that it's been shipped, in contrast to the two others I ordered from MovieMars and Abeille Music aka FabulousCD at the same time.

The fact that the UK government  shut down UPS shipments temporarily last week may have something to do with it. (Although AmazonUK was prompt enough in despatching the Gardiner Mozart opera box last week.)
The Wand Cologne box is on my to-get list, but not immediately; I want to get familiar with the Jochum set and digest some of the other stuff that's been piling up or will be joining the pile shortly.

[DavidW]

Well my set shipped yesterday, and I think zoverstocks uses airmail, I think I'll have it in about a week.  The real wait for me is on the Suzuki Bach set I ordered from arkiv.  It's shipped from Canada, and the mail service is on strike over there.

[karlhenning]

. . . It's shipped from Canada, and the mail service is on strike over there.

I thought that sort of thing only happened in places like Lesotho and . . . France, je-je-je.

[jlaurson]

I thought that sort of thing only happened in places like Lesotho and . . . France, je-je-je.

French part of Canada.

[Grazioso]

Can't speak to the box, but the various late individual Wand recordings are essential--to my ears, perhaps even definitive--Bruckner. The Berlin recordings are stunning, and the Luebeck 8th, with its massive cathedral reverberation, might have its detractors, but for me it's unforgettable. The HvK set has never done too much for me overall (though the opening of the 4th is quite impressive in terms of wallowing in lovely sonorities ). I think Jochum II might be a more enjoyable alternative for the relatively fleet, sunny, lyrical take. (Some people tend to forget that the prominent Schubertian, charming elements of the symphonies should exist comfortably alongside the monumental aspects.)

[eyeresist]

Sorry about the late post.

Sadly I haven't heard Wand's Hanssler recordings. I have his NDR of 5 and 9 and like it - the 5 seems to me essentially perfect. I had Berlin 4 and 9 and didn't like them. Thoroughly professional and completely boring. I also have that early 8 (terrible sound), the most spontaneous I've heard him in Bruckner. If the Cologne set is in the same vein, I'd like to hear it.

As has been said, Karajan's complete cycle has its problems. I think when a proper remaster is issued it may be time for a reassessment. What the hell is DG thinking? Anyway, apart from the later symphonies, 1 and 3 from the set are absolutely top stuff. As things stand, you'd need the various singles to make one great cycle. I wish they'd issue the late Vienna recordings of 9 separately (currently stuck in the Andante set and live DG DVD).

[/terseness]

[Mirror Image]

I think when a proper remaster is issued it may be time for a reassessment. What the hell is DG thinking?

I don't understand why DG won't remaster these recordings either. I mean they've already remastered a lot of his other recordings, why not remaster a composer he obviously had an affinity for?

[eyeresist]

Maybe they're worried that people will buy it?

[Mirror Image]

Maybe they're worried that people will buy it?

No, I just don't think they're listening to their customers. I'm sure we're not the only ones who have complained about this.

[Brian]

I don't understand why DG won't remaster these recordings either.

Let's be honest: they probably can't afford to hire a guy to do the job.

[Mirror Image]

Let's be honest: they probably can't afford to hire a guy to do the job.

Is this a joke? I really hope it is.

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

Wand. Any Wand/BPO.

[Lethevich]

Is this a joke? I really hope it is.

Yes

The truth is most likely that Karajan's "audio concept" was introduced at the recording stage, and had so corrupted the recording's balance that there could be very little in the source tapes to work with and warrant a remaster.

[Sergeant Rock]

Although I agree with the majority here that Karajan's EMI, DG analogue and late (Vienna) DG Bruckner performances have better sound I don't find the early digital recordings "terrible"--just not ideal. They are plush with great depth although some exhibit digital glare. Nothing that can't be tamed or at least overlooked for Karajan's masterful interpretations. Wand's cycle doesn't have ideal sound either. Sure, there is great clarity (which I appreciate) but the sound in the loud passages is oddly artificial to my ears. At some key moments the strings are completely swamped, covered by the brass (the end of the Fifth for example). I wouldn't choose Wand over Karajan, or vice versa, based solely on the sonics.

Sarge