Bruckner's Abbey

[Lisztianwagner]

This performance of the Symphony #3 was raved about by a Bruckner fan on FaceBook: any opinions?

I admit it was the first time I listened to Celibidache in Bruckner, Karajan, Jochum and Rosbaud are usually my points of reference; definitely a splendid recording, very intense and passionate!

Is it a live recording? What I suppose is the voice of the conductor can be heard more than once along the performance, especially at the climaxes....

[Cato]

I admit it was the first time I listened to Celibidache in Bruckner, Karajan, Jochum and Rosbaud are usually my points of reference; definitely a splendid recording, very intense and passionate!

Is it a live recording? What I suppose is the voice of the conductor can be heard more than once along the performance, especially at the climaxes....

You can hear the conductor's voice?!  Hmmm!  😇

You remind me of a review from many decades ago (1970's?) of Mahler Symphonies conducted by Sir John Barbirolli, wherein the critic complained about "Sir John's groans" (whether from arthritis or from emotional reactions was unclear) during several performances, mainly in the Symphony VI.

[AnotherSpin]

You can hear the conductor's voice?!  Hmmm!  😇

You remind me of a review from many decades ago (1970's?) of Mahler Symphonies conducted by Sir John Barbirolli, wherein the critic complained about "Sir John's groans" (whether from arthritis or from emotional reactions was unclear) during several performances, mainly in the Symphony VI.

Yes, Barbirolli's moans are clearly audible in the recording of Mahler's 6th. Of course, for this one needs high-quality sound equipment with good resolution. With poor quality playback, everything is mixed up in a mess, one can't make out a thing.

[Lisztianwagner]

You can hear the conductor's voice?!  Hmmm!  😇

You remind me of a review from many decades ago (1970's?) of Mahler Symphonies conducted by Sir John Barbirolli, wherein the critic complained about "Sir John's groans" (whether from arthritis or from emotional reactions was unclear) during several performances, mainly in the Symphony VI.

Amusing, I would have liked to listen to that Mahler 6!

Well, it's true a crystalline recording without noises is better for me, but I don't find Celibidache's groans particularly annoying (especially because the performance is enough wonderful to make you turn a blind eye to that), in some way, if it's not exaggerated, it's nice to hear a conductor so moved by the music.

[Cato]

Yes, Barbirolli's moans are clearly audible in the recording of Mahler's 6th. Of course, for this one needs high-quality sound equipment with good resolution. With poor quality playback, everything is mixed up in a mess, one can't make out a thing.

That is an advantage of going with the cheap stuff!   


A new project from Austria on Bruckner:


The Upper Austrian KulturEXPO Anton Bruckner 2024 is looking for interested choirs and singers from all over the world for a digital, global "Locus iste"!

"Locus iste" is one of the "world hits" of the genius loci Anton Bruckner. At the beginning of his anniversary year, it should also be heard from all over the world. That is why we send the invitation out to all interested choirs, singers and musicians to send us a video recording of the "Locus iste" piece.

The selection of videos will become a part of an overall film. This film will be presented as a part of the New Year's Concert of the Bruckner Orchestra Linz on January 1st, 2024 in the Brucknerhaus Linz; therefore it will be a part of the official opening of the OÖ* KulturEXPO Anton Bruckner 2024.

On the day of the opening, musicians will be performing the choral work live in the hall, while the submitted film excerpts from all over the world will be played simultaneously. The aim of this new year's happening is to present that Anton Bruckner is happening "all over the world!" From January 1st, 2024, the entire film made from your submissions will also be available to the public on our official website www.anton-bruckner-2024.at.


* OÖ = Ober Österreich = Upper Austria, i.e. a state in the north/northwest part of Austria with Linz as the provincial capital.


https://www.anton-bruckner-2024.at/en/news/weltumspannendes-locus-iste/

[AnotherSpin]

That is an advantage of going with the cheap stuff!   

It's quite possible that you'll like the music from a cheap radio better than from an expensive top quality sound set. Or it could be the other way round. It doesn't matter whether the thing is expensive or not, it's your subjective perception of the thing that matters.

[Cato]

That is an advantage of going with the cheap stuff!   


A new project from Austria on Bruckner:


The Upper Austrian KulturEXPO Anton Bruckner 2024 is looking for interested choirs and singers from all over the world for a digital, global "Locus iste"!

"Locus iste" is one of the "world hits" of the genius loci Anton Bruckner. At the beginning of his anniversary year, it should also be heard from all over the world. That is why we send the invitation out to all interested choirs, singers and musicians to send us a video recording of the "Locus iste" piece.

The selection of videos will become a part of an overall film. This film will be presented as a part of the New Year's Concert of the Bruckner Orchestra Linz on January 1st, 2024 in the Brucknerhaus Linz; therefore it will be a part of the official opening of the OÖ* KulturEXPO Anton Bruckner 2024.

On the day of the opening, musicians will be performing the choral work live in the hall, while the submitted film excerpts from all over the world will be played simultaneously. The aim of this new year's happening is to present that Anton Bruckner is happening "all over the world!" From January 1st, 2024, the entire film made from your submissions will also be available to the public on our official website www.anton-bruckner-2024.at.


* OÖ = Ober Österreich = Upper Austria, i.e. a state in the north/northwest part of Austria with Linz as the provincial capital.


https://www.anton-bruckner-2024.at/en/news/weltumspannendes-locus-iste/

For those who do not know the work Locus Iste:

[lordlance]

The Thielemann cycle has been released in its entirety:



Any thoughts on the performances?

[LKB]

The Thielemann cycle has been released in its entirety:



Any thoughts on the performances?

I saw the same forces back in March, and the Eighth was successful if not perfect. But I'm not at all familiar with this set so I'd be interested in feedback as well.

[lordlance]

I saw the same forces back in March, and the Eighth was successful if not perfect. But I'm not at all familiar with this set so I'd be interested in feedback as well.

An interesting question: Have you heard any recorded Eighths made in the last 15 years that could stand with the great greats?

[LKB]

An interesting question: Have you heard any recorded Eighths made in the last 15 years that could stand with the great greats?

The honest and entertainingly (?) snarky answer:

No. 

The more completely honest ( if overly lengthy ) answer:

I haven't actually heard any of the studio Eighths recorded in the last 15 years, except for brief snippets from Thielmann's cycle above.

I tend to remain loyal ( with rare exceptions ) to the imprints for whatever music l've memorized over the last fifty years. For the Eighth that would be Haitink's digital studio release with the RCO from around 1980, though that wasn't actually the first recording l was exposed to.

[lordlance]

The honest and entertainingly (?) snarky answer:

No. 

The more completely honest ( if overly lengthy ) answer:

I haven't actually heard any of the studio Eighths recorded in the last 15 years, except for brief snippets from Thielmann's cycle above.

I tend to remain loyal ( with rare exceptions ) to the imprints for whatever music l've memorized over the last fifty years. For the Eighth that would be Haitink's digital studio release with the RCO from around 1980, though that wasn't actually the first recording l was exposed to.

There aren't studio recordings anymore AFAIK. Very rarely. It's all recordings of live performances. As Dave said, the industry went bust in the 90s. Are you not the type to keep wanting to hear new interpretations just for the kicks?

[DavidW]

The Thielemann cycle has been released in its entirety:



Any thoughts on the performances?

Just okay but at least he tried.  I mean I am a stick in the mud that mostly relistens to Jochum and Karajan but it seems like conductors these days just gravitate towards Mahler and ignore Bruckner.

[LKB]

There aren't studio recordings anymore AFAIK. Very rarely. It's all recordings of live performances. As Dave said, the industry went bust in the 90s. Are you not the type to keep wanting to hear new interpretations just for the kicks?

I've played and sung and conducted ( vocal, not symphonic ) Bruckner in concert. And I've listened avidly since around 1977 or '78, when the Seventh hypnotized its way into my welcoming young brain. 

So I don't really feel a need for new interpretations, but at the same time I'd like to think that I'm still willing to entertain a variety of points-of-view, within reasonable limits.

[DavidW]

There aren't studio recordings anymore AFAIK. Very rarely. It's all recordings of live performances. As Dave said, the industry went bust in the 90s. Are you not the type to keep wanting to hear new interpretations just for the kicks?

Wait what are you talking about!?  Certainly you don't mean the classical music recording industry which outputs more new releases than anybody but Brian and Todd can keep track of?  And most of those are still studio recordings.

Are you talking about a specific label?

[lordlance]

Wait what are you talking about!?  Certainly you don't mean the classical music recording industry which outputs more new releases than anybody but Brian and Todd can keep track of?  And most of those are still studio recordings.

Are you talking about a specific label?

Wait really? I thought it was all live stuff now.

[MishaK]

Just okay but at least he tried.  I mean I am a stick in the mud that mostly relistens to Jochum and Karajan but it seems like conductors these days just gravitate towards Mahler and ignore Bruckner.

I have tried and tried but have never warmed to CT's Bruckner. To me he sounds like he goes limp before every climax. And the dynamic distinctions just aren't as detailed as they could be. There is actually some good Bruckner coming out from "conductors these days". Do check out Honeck and Luisi for example.

[DavidW]

Do check out Honeck and Luisi for example.

I'll do that!

[brewski]

Though I haven't yet heard the Honeck/Pittsburgh Bruckner 9, I can vouch for the Fourth, which is superb. It doesn't hurt that they have teamed up with Reference Recordings, one of the best in the business.

-Bruce

[brewski]

In other Bruckner news, I'm looking forward to the Philadelphia Orchestra concert below this weekend. I don't think I've ever heard the Haydn.

Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, conductor
Jennifer Montone, horn

Haydn Horn Concerto No. 1
Bruckner Symphony No. 6

https://www.philorch.org/performances/our-season/events-and-tickets/2023-2024-season/verizon-hall/haydn-and-bruckner/

-Bruce