What's on your MP3 player?

[Keemun]

Thank you for this! Am downloading the Bruckner as I type this...

You're welcome, but the thanks really goes to Lilas Pastia who first posted it here: Re: Bruckner's Abbey 

[mahlertitan]

You're welcome, but the thanks really goes to Lilas Pastia who first posted it here: Re: Bruckner's Abbey 

Actually, you should thank John F. Berky, it was his recording after all...

[mahlertitan]

And as I'm sure we can agree, MT, Herreweghe's is a leaner Seventh than many, with clarity aforefront.

And what caused such clarity? Why are the strings so transparent? Perhaps the orchestra was smaller (period instruments)? It did add a certain chamber music quality to it, right?

And yeah, this is an interesting recording, but is this one of my top favorites? probably not. But, it is a special French Bruckner, so buy it while you can. You certainly don't see plenty of those floating around. (I also recommend the Bruckner fifth with Matacic and the French National Orchestra)

[Mark]

And what caused such clarity? Why are the strings so transparent? Perhaps the orchestra was smaller (period instruments)? It did add a certain chamber music quality to it, right?

I'd not thought of this recording as having a chamber-like quality, but I guess that could be successfully argued. As to what contributes to the clarity, aside from the period instrumentation and smaller forces (one presumes), plus a very detailed recorded sound, the answer must be Herreweghe. I've listened to about ten CDs of his work, and all of them have this incredible clarity of texture. It's very, very refreshing.

[techniquest]

Some Prokofiev (Scythian Suite, Seven they Are Seven, Ode to the End of the War)
Mahler 8 (second part) Boulez live, 1975
Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances
Ravel La Valse
Mark Kermodes film reviews (latest Radio 5 podcast)
Stephen Fry reading his autobiography
Some non-classical music.

[Keemun]

Actually, you should thank John F. Berky, it was his recording after all...

Good point.

[mahlertitan]

I'd not thought of this recording as having a chamber-like quality, but I guess that could be successfully argued. As to what contributes to the clarity, aside from the period instrumentation and smaller forces (one presumes), plus a very detailed recorded sound, the answer must be Herreweghe. I've listened to about ten CDs of his work, and all of them have this incredible clarity of texture. It's very, very refreshing.

I think Herreweghe should just stick to what he does best. Doesn't he usually do baroque music? I have nothing against his musical abilities, but I prefer not hear Bruckner on period instruments. Certain elements of his music just gets lost playing on thin strings, plus we don't lack other great 7th out there.

Aside of Herreweghe's "clarity", what other Bruckner's 7th have you heard? i am curious.

[Mark]

Aside of Herreweghe's "clarity", what other Bruckner's 7th have you heard? i am curious.

Munich Philharmonic Orchestra | Celibidache

Aarhus Symphony Orchestra | Loughran

Champs-Elysees Orchestra | Herreweghe

Grand Montreal Metropolitan Orchestra | Nezet-Seguin

Royal Scottish National Orchestra | Tintner

London Philharmonic Orchestra | Orchestre National De France | Masur

Vienna Symphony Orchestra | Kreizberg

BBC National Orchestra Of Wales | Sakari

[Que]

I think Herreweghe should just stick to what he does best. Doesn't he usually do baroque music? I have nothing against his musical abilities, but I prefer not hear Bruckner on period instruments. Certain elements of his music just gets lost playing on thin strings, plus we don't lack other great 7th out there.

Aside of Herreweghe's "clarity", what other Bruckner's 7th have you heard? i am curious.

I agree that Herreweghe is not really (or really not) a Brucknerian.
But the "thin" strings thing is clear nonsense. I'm pretty sure you've never heard Bruckner on period instruments. I'm curious what of Bruckner's music you think "gets lost" when played on strings instruments that were around when he wrote it?

At moments like this I always like to point out the fact that famous Jascha Heifetz played on "thin" strings as well...

Q

[mahlertitan]

I agree that Herreweghe is not really (or really not) a Brucknerian.
But the "thin" strings thing is clear nonsense. I'm pretty sure you've never heard Bruckner on period instruments. I'm curious what of Bruckner's music you think "gets lost" when played on strings instruments that were around when he wrote it?

I agree with you that this is perhaps more "Authentic" to most Bruckners i have heard. But, it's not necessary as good. With Bruckner's music, with it's powerful climaxes, and grand chorales.... one expects a heavy sound, I guess what gets lost its it's power.

that said, it's still good though, i guess i am just not a fan of period instruments. Que, i didn't know that you listen to Bruckner, got any recommendations for the 7th?

[Mark]

With Bruckner's music, with it's powerful climaxes, and grand chorales.... one expects a heavy sound, I guess what gets lost its it's power.

I agree, as it happens.

[Que]

I agree with you that this is perhaps more "Authentic" to most Bruckners i have heard. But, it's not necessary as good. With Bruckner's music, with it's powerful climaxes, and grand chorales.... one expects a heavy sound, I guess what gets lost its it's power.

that said, it's still good though, i guess i am just not a fan of period instruments. Que, i didn't know that you listen to Bruckner, got any recommendations for the 7th?

I agree, as it happens.

I don't, because musical "power" is not the same as volume.
Nevertheless, Herreweghe's renditions actually do sound "underpowered". That has IMO nothing to do with the size of the orchestra or the use of period instruments, but has very much to do with Herreweghe's conducting.

Q

[mahlertitan]

Munich Philharmonic Orchestra | Celibidache

Aarhus Symphony Orchestra | Loughran

Champs-Elysees Orchestra | Herreweghe

Grand Montreal Metropolitan Orchestra | Nezet-Seguin

Royal Scottish National Orchestra | Tintner

London Philharmonic Orchestra | Orchestre National De France | Masur

Vienna Symphony Orchestra | Kreizberg

BBC National Orchestra Of Wales | Sakari

Those are nice, a few that i haven't heard about. But, you do need listen to the Karajans and Giulinis, and get a couple of Wand and Jochum while at it.

there are also a few unique recordings, the one i currently have on my ipod is one example.

Carl Schuricht's symphony no. 7 with Hague Orchestra

[Mark]

I don't, because musical "power" is not the same as volume.

You're right. But many equate the two, rightly or wrongly.

Nevertheless the Herrweghe renditions actually do sound "underpowered". That has IMO nothing to do with the size of the orchestra or the use of period instruments, but has very much to do with Herreweghe's conducting.

Really? His Beethoven Ninth Symphony is underpowered? Clear, yes. Detailed, certainly. Underpowered? Not to these ears.

[Mark]

Those are nice, a few that i haven't heard about. But, you do need listen to the Karajans and Giulinis, and get a couple of Wand and Jochum while at it.

Karajan and Jochum are next on my 'to hear' list.

[Que]

Que, i didn't know that you listen to Bruckner, got any recommendations for the 7th?

Yes, can you believe it?
Listened to Walter's recording of the 9th a few days ago.

I returned to Bruckner several months ago after a long leave of absence, and I'm reevaluating my preferences. I can't recommend you a "definitive" choice for the 7th, no. I've always loved Haitink/RCO and greatly admired Furtwängler's BPO from '51, but the jury is still out.

So, I'll be following your quest with interest.

Q

[Mark]

Had a bit of a 'personnel change' on the player today. Added that Raff Symphony No. 5 (as linked to by Wilhelm in the 'What are you listening to?' thread ), and thought I'd give Alfven's Fourth Symphony another listen, along with Herreweghe's astonishingly good account of Beethoven's Ninth.

[locrian]

It sucks when you get in the mood for some classical and you don't have any on your iPod.

[toro913]

Beethoven: Complete String Quartets, Symphonies, Concertos, Cello Sonatas, Piano Sonatas
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos, Cello Suites, Violin Sonatas/Partitas, Piano Partitas, WTC 1 and 2, Goldberg Variations
Alkan: Most of his works
Brahms: Most of his works
Mahler: All Works (i think)
Tchaikovsky: most of his works
Mendelssohn: most large scale works
Wagner: the ring cycle, tristan and isolde, parsifal
Chopin: All works
Dvorak: most works
Haydn: 15-20 symphonies
Schumann: most works
Rachmaninoff: most works
Saint-saens: all piano concertos and assorted works
Sibelius: most works
Mozart: late symphonies, concertos and quartets, most piano sonatas
Faure: All piano and chamber works
and 1-10 works by Albeniz, Alfven, Arensky, Balarikev, Barber, Bartok, Bax, Berlioz, Borodin, Bruch, Bruckner, Elgar, Falla, Franck, Gershwin, Glazunov, Glinka, Grieg, Korngold, Lalo, Liszt, Medtner, Mussorgsky. Nielsen, Paganini, Ravel, Respighi, Schubert, Scriabin, Walton, Wieniawski, Willan

The wonders of a 60 gig Ipod and that's just the classical stuff.

[Renfield]

Karajan and Jochum are next on my 'to hear' list.

Concerning this, now that I've spotted this discussion:

Karajan's last Bruckner 7th, and his last recording in general, I consider one of the best Bruckner recordings I have ever heard, in every way.

However, Karajan's earlier EMI recording is also fantastic, and would be my first preference if the VPO recording didn't exist. So either of them is a top recommendation, really, from me.


Otherwise, Bruno Walter's Columbia 7th is also a very special account of the symphony, which I would rank with the earlier Karajan, but for the sound quality (which I know interests you greatly).

As far as I'm concerned, it shares second place with the EMI Karajan/BPO.


Celi you've listened to... Well, I could also recommend Takashi Asahina's very poetic performance with the Osaka Philharmonic, but that might be a bit tricky to get, really.


Not to say Jochum's DG 7th (I haven't heard the EMI) isn't pretty good, either.

Likewise for Karajan's second 7th with the BPO, from his complete cycle on DG, or even Giulini's quirky VPO 7th (again, DG).

But it's Karajan/VPO, Karajan/BPO (EMI) - Walter/CSO (Sony), then the rest, for me.


Note: In case it's not already apparent enough, the 7th is my favourite among Bruckner's symphonies.

(Though not the one I have the most recordings of, as I don't even need them, mostly thanks to the above gentlemen and a few others, great conductors all of them. 0:))