GMG Classical Music Forum

Bruckner's Symphonies 4-9 are some of my all-time favorite pieces of music and I love them all dearly, but my vote has to go for no. 9. This work never ceases to amaze me. The unsettled, mysterious first movement, the fiery, no-holds-barred scherzo, and the visionary finale form a nearly perfect work of art. How about you?

Poll should be "Top 11 Bruckner Symphonies".

Quote from: Daverz on September 27, 2013, 06:37:58 PM
Poll should be "Top 11 Bruckner Symphonies".

I seriously doubt anyone is going to be voting for the two early symphonies. They're well-crafted, pleasant works, but don't even hint at the Bruckner to come. So which one did you vote for, Dave?

Quote from: kyjo on September 27, 2013, 06:42:36 PM
I seriously doubt anyone is going to be voting for the two early symphonies.

0 was actually composed between 1 and 2.

Quote from: Daverz on September 27, 2013, 07:34:41 PM
0 was actually composed between 1 and 2.

Fair enough. Ah, what the heck, I'll add them!

The one I happen to be listening to at the moment. ;D

7 first
then the adagio of 8
then 6
then 3
then the rest of 8
not a fan of the others (yet!)

I picked Symphony No. 9 even if it's incomplete, it still stands as a remarkable achievement in the 19th Century symphonic canon. It's sinister, apocalyptic, heart-rendering, endearing, mournful, frightening, intoxicating, and majestic all rolled up into one. It's certainly one of the most incredible pieces of music I know.

9. I can put it on, crank up the volume, and have an hour of pure bliss. Of course, having one of the best versions in terms of good sound AND execution helps (the second Haitink on Philips).

No.7 as its Adagio is for me the most magic orchestral Adagio ever. May be the most magic whatever ever.

I like them all - No. 8 is probably my most favoured at the moment.

Favorites, as opposed to greatest? 0, 2, 3 and 6 (the four I listen to the most). The Wagner Symphony gets the vote.

Sarge

It used to be 4 or 9, but now it's 8.

9 and 2.

Quote from: Daverz on September 27, 2013, 06:37:58 PM
Poll should be "Top 11 Bruckner Symphonies".

Amen!   0:)

Based on personal history alone: at a precocious age I read through the Leopold Nowak edition of the score for the Symphony #7 and just knew after hitting the initial climax: "I MUST hear this!!!"   0:)

Bruckner's 5th was my original favourite and an obsession.  Then, the 8th became my favourite and an obsession.

Now, the 7th is my favourite and an obsession.  ;D

Quote from: ChamberNut on September 28, 2013, 01:24:51 PM
Bruckner's 5th was my original favourite and an obsession.  Then, the 8th became my favourite and an obsession.

Now, the 7th is my favourite and an obsession.  ;D

Dude!  Sounds like you and I belong in the following clubs!   :laugh:

Quote from: Daverz on September 27, 2013, 06:37:58 PM
Poll should be "Top 11 Bruckner Symphonies".

Quote from: jochanaan on September 27, 2013, 08:08:11 PM
The one I happen to be listening to at the moment. ;D

The Fourth.  They are all magnificent except the first which is a inconsistent mess of a work.
I play loads of Bruckner.   ;D
I used to play the opening of the 4rth movement of the 8th a lot, just to hear the entry.

Right now? The 6th.

I have a major obsession with this piece, up to 13 recordings now and still want to hear more. No other Bruckner symphony has had that effect on me.

Edit: I remember a similar poll/thread a year or two ago, I believe I chose No.5, so just like many others it changes as time go by.

Quote from: jochanaan on September 27, 2013, 08:08:11 PM
The one I happen to be listening to at the moment. ;D

Yes, that is my take on it.

Has anyone listened to the Rattle recording of the completion of the 9th? I am torn between taking it on board and remaining faithful to the wonderful torso I have known for so long.

Mike

Quote from: knight66 on September 29, 2013, 12:34:52 AM
Yes, that is my take on it.

Has anyone listened to the Rattle recording of the completion of the 9th? I am torn between taking it on board and remaining faithful to the wonderful torso I have known for so long.

Mike

I have not heard that specific recording, but give the completion attempt a try!  (I like it.)  Certainly if Rattle took the time to bother with it, he thinks it is worthwhile.

Quote from: knight66 on September 29, 2013, 12:34:52 AM
Has anyone listened to the Rattle recording of the completion of the 9th? I am torn between taking it on board and remaining faithful to the wonderful torso I have known for so long.

Mike

Have not heard the recording but did hear Rattle and Berlin do it live last year. Short version: I think it's well worth hearing, even if the finale doesn't quite (after just one hearing) persuade. That said, Rattle's overall concept - ferocious, even scary in places - is worth a listen for that reason alone.

--Bruce

Both, Thanks for your encouragement. My apologies, I should have been clear. I have the recording and enjoy it. I think the reconstructed final movement is very convincing. But having listened to it for about 40 years in its truncated version, I have got used to the incomplete feeling like a complete work and I swither as to which I prefer. It has become one of my few favourite Rattle recordings.

I had half expected to be slapped down, so, as I say I was encouraged by your replies.

Mike

Quote from: knight66 on September 29, 2013, 12:34:52 AM
Has anyone listened to the Rattle recording of the completion of the 9th? I am torn between taking it on board and remaining faithful to the wonderful torso I have known for so long.

I've heard it and it's a pretty successful ending, I daresay. Of course, it can't compare with the original three movements, but it's a grand, satisfying conclusion all the same. I'm no purist when it comes to tampering with music like this, so others will undoubtedly disagree. :)

The 9th, to me, feels already 'complete', with the 3 movements.  Always felt that way.  However, I would definitely be interested in hearing Rattle's reconstructed finale!  :)

BTW, I also feel the same about Schubert's 8th Symphony.  It's always felt complete, to me.  I thought 'Unfinished' was just the nickname of the symphony, at first!   :laugh:

Quote from: kyjo on September 29, 2013, 05:04:15 AM
I've heard it and it's a pretty successful ending, I daresay. Of course, it can't compare with the original three movements, but it's a grand, satisfying conclusion all the same. I'm no purist when it comes to tampering with music like this, so others will undoubtedly disagree. :)

Yes, and one reads all sorts of things.  I have a copy (published many decades ago) of the manuscript and of the sketches found through the 1960's.  I understand that other things were discovered, which led musicologists to consider the possibility of a completion.

Here is a link to the Revised Standard Version  :laugh: as it stands right now: it has an essay explaining the ins and outs and unders and overs!

http://www.abruckner.com/Data/articles/articlesEnglish/cohrsB9finale/BG_Cohrs_Introduction_SPCM2012.pdf (http://www.abruckner.com/Data/articles/articlesEnglish/cohrsB9finale/BG_Cohrs_Introduction_SPCM2012.pdf)

One hears so many stories, e.g. that the Finale was actually complete, but that when Bruckner died, his students took pages of it as a souvenir, etc.

I agree that there is a case for accepting the work as a 3-movement edifice.  In such cases, however, e.g. Mahler and the Tenth and Scriabin's Mysterium, there is a fascination with the "what-might-have-been" aspect, or of wanting to hear the composer just one last time.

And so we are willing to glean the actual from the potential and to ponder the validity of the guesswork!

Quote from: Cato on September 29, 2013, 03:53:43 AM
I have not heard that specific recording, but give the completion attempt a try!  (I like it.)  Certainly if Rattle took the time to bother with it, he thinks it is worthwhile.

Has anyone else besides Rattle recorded the 4-movement Bruckner 9?

I'll have to put on my wish list!  :)

Quote from: ChamberNut on September 29, 2013, 05:39:02 AM
Has anyone else besides Rattle recorded the 4-movement Bruckner 9?

Several. I have two besides Rattle: Friedemann Layer recorded an earlier Mazzuca version with my homies, the Nationaltheater-Orchesters Mannheim. The controversial, and weird, Peter Jan Marthé has completed and recorded his own version of the Finale with the European Philharmonic. Harnoncourt has recorded Bruckner's sketches.

(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/feb2010/Bru9Mar.jpg) (http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/jan2011/brulayer9.jpg)


Sarge

Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 29, 2013, 05:54:50 AM
Several. I have two besides Rattle: Friedemann Layer recorded an earlier Mazzuca version with my homies, the Nationaltheater-Orchesters Mannheim. The controversial, and weird, Peter Jan Marthé has completed and recorded his own version of the Finale with the European Philharmonic. Harnoncourt has recorded Bruckner's sketches.

(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/feb2010/Bru9Mar.jpg) (http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/jan2011/brulayer9.jpg)


Sarge

Thanks, Sarge!  Oh no, not that conductor who 'has conversations' with Bruckner!  :laugh:

Quote from: ChamberNut on September 29, 2013, 06:01:14 AM
Thanks, Sarge!  Oh no, not that conductor who 'has conversations' with Bruckner!  :laugh:

It's worse than that. I believe he thinks he's actually channeling Bruckner's spirit. But, hey, the results are magnificent, so more power to him  8)

Sarge

Quote from: springrite on September 28, 2013, 09:39:19 AM
9 and 2.

I finally voted by checking #9, which is why 2 is still, uh, without a vote. Should have voted for two as I think about it, since 9 does not lack support.

Quote from: ChamberNut on September 29, 2013, 05:39:02 AM
Has anyone else besides Rattle recorded the 4-movement Bruckner 9?

I'll have to put on my wish list!  :)

The recent Rattle is the recording with (what seems to be) the most accurate version from the team of musicologists involved with the score and sketches throughout the years.

At least...according to this team of musicologists!   0:)   

Quote from: ChamberNut on September 29, 2013, 05:39:02 AM
Has anyone else besides Rattle recorded the 4-movement Bruckner 9?

See http://www.abruckner.com/discography/symphonyno9indmino/

Unquestionably no. 6 but no. 3 is pretty close as well.

I voted 9. 9,7,4,3,8 gap 6,5, gap, 1, gap, the sound of cats being vivisected, gap, 2

Ultimately everything from the F minor "Study Symphony" onward is a favorite!   8)

Favorites can rotate, as many know: suddenly Symphony #_ is the favorite!

Quote from: Ken B on May 23, 2014, 01:22:08 PM
the sound of cats being vivisected

Die Nullte? Oh no, say it ain't so. That's a magnificent D minor work...well, I like it anyway.

Sarge

Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 24, 2014, 12:41:47 PM
Die Nullte? Oh no, say it ain't so. That's a magnificent D minor work...well, I like it anyway.

Sarge

Amen Amen!   0:)

My experience recently of hearing it in a cathedral made me recall that it needs to be better known:
Symphony #1.5 would make a better case for it!

Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 24, 2014, 12:41:47 PM
Die Nullte? Oh no, say it ain't so. That's a magnificent D minor work...well, I like it anyway.

Sarge

No, I wasn't counting 0 or 00 as I have almost never played them. At most twice each ever.