Bruckner's cycles

[ChamberNut]

I have this set as well, and absolutely love it!  Bruckner is my 2nd favorite symphony composer after Beethoven.

It took awhile to warm up to Bruckner's music, but his symphonies become more powerful and enthralling with each listen.  Great, great music!

[Diletante]

Hello there.

I'm completely new to Bruckner and I haven't heard a single symphony by him. I have read that intepretations are very important with Bruckner, because of the different versions and whatnot.

My question is: How would you rate the following symphony cycles, especially in terms of interpretation and sound quality?

• Karajan & BPO - DG
• Wand & Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Kolner Rundfunk Sinfonie Orchester
• Solti & CSO

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Scarpia]

Originally I considered the Karajan/BPO to be the definitive cycle.  I still hold it in high regard, but the Haitink/RCO has gradually supplanted it as my preferred one.  Haitink has a reputation for being very neutral, but the Bruckner/RCO set, some of which was recorded when he was very young (as early as 1960) is very committed, to my ears.  Solti/CSO is extraordinary, but it is considered by many to be inordinately aggressive.  I have it and enjoy it (especially for the early symphonies) but don't consider that it gets to the essence of Bruckner.  Another to seriously consider is one of the two Jochum cycles.

[George]

How would you rate the following symphony cycles, especially in terms of interpretation and sound quality?

• Karajan & BPO - DG
• Wand & Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Kolner Rundfunk Sinfonie Orchester
• Solti & CSO

Thanks in advance for your help.

Of the three that you mentioned, I have only heard the HvK and didn't like it nearly as much as I'd hoped. I usually only like Karajan's recordings from the sixties and the Bruckner was unfortunately recorded later. The only two other sets I have heard I would recommend, though, both for SQ and performance. Jochum's DG set is excellent and I am happy to have it, but Celibidache's incomplete (he didn't record 1 or 2) EMI set is far and away my favorite. Sure, he slows things down and may not be very many people's idea of a good first set, but after hearing him, I honestly have no desire to hear anyone else's Bruckner. Celibidache's Bruckner recordings profoundly move me every time I hear them.

[DavidW]

I'll have to consider Haitink since I love both Jochum loves and Karajan (for different reasons, they take different approaches).  It looks like Scarpia and I are on the same wavelength for Bruckner.  Unless he posts to affirm his love for Celibidache recordings that is...   Sorry George I just had to.

[Coopmv]

I'll have to consider Haitink since I love both Jochum loves and Karajan (for different reasons, they take different approaches).  It looks like Scarpia and I are on the same wavelength for Bruckner.  Unless he posts to affirm his love for Celibidache recordings that is...   Sorry George I just had to.

Here are the two Brucker's cycles I have ...





I also have the third cycle by Karajan in this set, which I am still looking for time to listen to ...

[George]

I wonder if and when the Celibidache set will be in an EMI budget box (or perhaps on Brilliant Classics) like that Jochum set.

[Coopmv]

I wonder if and when the Celibidache set will be in an EMI budget box (or perhaps on Brilliant Classics) like that Jochum set.

I have heard of Celibidache and do not have a single recording by him. 

[Scarpia]

I wonder if and when the Celibidache set will be in an EMI budget box (or perhaps on Brilliant Classics) like that Jochum set.

The Celibidache recordings were licensed from Celibidache's estate in a special deal.  I think it is unlikely it will find its way to a budget release.

[George]

The Celibidache recordings were licensed from Celibidache's estate in a special deal.  I think it is unlikely it will find its way to a budget release.

Thanks, that's good to know.

[Coopmv]

The Celibidache recordings were licensed from Celibidache's estate in a special deal.  I think it is unlikely it will find its way to a budget release.

But was Celibidache the Alfred Cortot of the conductors?  I think George knows what I mean ...    

[Cato]

As a Brucknerian for over 45 years       I always recommend the original DGG stereo recordings with Eugen Jochum conducting with one caveat.



At the end of the Finale of the Fifth Symphony, Jochum basically halves the rhythm, which is not indicated in the score.  I have always been skeptical of this: there is a case to be made for an accelerando, rather than a grand slowdown.

Otherwise, a great set of performances!  Jochum's later EMI recordings are also excellent, although the playing has a "rawer" sound from the Dresden Staatskapelle.

[Taxes-]

I haven't heard the earlier Jochum cycle, but the Dresden one is indeed quite good.

And this is another set that one might want to consider.

Most of those are outstanding, and the sound is adequate throughout. The sixth is missing the first movement though, and there's obviously a lot of Bruckner symphonies that he never performed, so it doesn't really replace a true cycle.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Chailly's is a fine investment, more 'mellifluous' than others but with that Concertgebouw sound it's irresistible.

[eyeresist]

If you are new to Bruckner, I'd really recommend NOT starting with a boxset. Each individual symphony is a monolith, and attempting to digest 9+ of the things might turn you off for a long time. You should start off with a couple of discs of individual recordings.

Of the sets:

I enjoy Karajan's complete set (1 and 3 are my top picks for those works), but he did better in other recordings.

Wand is very good and reliable, though not always the acme of inspiration.

Jochum seems to me very overrated. I've only heard his EMI set (also on Brilliant, either way the cheapest complete set now available), but I dislike the way he pulls the tempos about at the expense of the broader structure (broad structure is a vital element in Bruckner's symphonies). Also, the Dresden orchestra were not on top of their game at that time, and the brass sound pretty raw.

The Furtwangler incomplete set mentioned above is really excellent, and the ancient sonics have cleaned up surprisingly well IMO.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Another vote for Jochum, but also consider the Skrowaczewski set, on Arte Nova or whatever their knockoff label is called. Cheap and good.

[Novi]

Jochum seems to me very overrated. I've only heard his EMI set (also on Brilliant, either way the cheapest complete set now available), but I dislike the way he pulls the tempos about at the expense of the broader structure (broad structure is a vital element in Bruckner's symphonies). Also, the Dresden orchestra were not on top of their game at that time, and the brass sound pretty raw.

I like the rougher and darker brass in the Dresden set though.

[DavidW]

If you are new to Bruckner, I'd really recommend NOT starting with a boxset. Each individual symphony is a monolith, and attempting to digest 9+ of the things might turn you off for a long time. You should start off with a couple of discs of individual recordings.

+1

I failed to note the completely new part of the OP.  Oops.

[George]

If you are new to Bruckner, I'd really recommend NOT starting with a boxset. Each individual symphony is a monolith, and attempting to digest 9+ of the things might turn you off for a long time. You should start off with a couple of discs of individual recordings.

For this approach I will add that a decent public library can be helpful.

[Scarpia]

If you are new to Bruckner, I'd really recommend NOT starting with a boxset. Each individual symphony is a monolith, and attempting to digest 9+ of the things might turn you off for a long time. You should start off with a couple of discs of individual recordings.

This doesn't make much sense to me.  There is no law that says when you get a box set you have to listen to the entire thing.