Bruckner's Abbey

[Cato]

This afternoon was terrific. I did not realize that the entire program—the motet Christus factus est, the Ninth Symphony, and the Te Deum—would be played without pause, for an uninterrupted 1 hour and 45 minutes. Yannick Nézet-Séguin cued everything perfectly, with not a peep of applause until the very end, when all hell broke loose.

The 100-voice chorus was magnificent, as were the four soloists in the Te Deum, and the orchestra sounded terrific. While I'm perfectly happy with the three-movement torso of the Ninth Symphony, adding the Te Deum as a finale is not an unattractive thesis, and at least here, proved overwhelming—perhaps because of the quality of the musicianship. (The Philadelphia horn section was particularly on fire today.)

To top it off, the place was packed. I mean, I'm wearily aware that Bruckner has more detractors than admirers, so to be in a sold-out hall with people cheering afterward was great fun.

I'm hearing the entire thing again on Saturday night (there are only two performances) and honestly, can't wait.

-Bruce

Great and very heartening news!

There are many good people still around who seek the best!

For several years in a row, under conductor Stefan Sanderling, The Toledo Symphony offered a Bruckner symphony performance every year in the local Catholic cathedral. 

A large crowd was always in attendance!  So, I am not necessarily sure that more detractors than admirers are around.

Or perhaps Brucknerians are very loyal and want to hear and support live performances. 

[brewski]

For several years in a row, under conductor Stefan Sanderling, The Toledo Symphony offered a Bruckner symphony performance every year in the local Catholic cathedral. 

A few years ago, a bassist in the orchestra sent me a recording of one of those, the Eighth. Had never heard the Toledo group before, and was quite surprised—maybe I shouldn't have been—at how good it was.

-Bruce

[vers la flamme]

Favorite recordings of the three masses? I do not know them nearly well enough.

[ChamberNut]

Favorite recordings of the three masses? I do not know them nearly well enough.

Herreweghe for the F minor mass for me.

Jochum for the others.

[Cato]

A few years ago, a bassist in the orchestra sent me a recording of one of those, the Eighth. Had never heard the Toledo group before, and was quite surprised—maybe I shouldn't have been—at how good it was.

-Bruce

I am betting that was our member ToledoBass, a.k.a. "Allan."   

I was there with my youngest son for that concert and it was marvelous to hear such an excellent performance live...in a cathedral!  Even my son, who does not praise anything or anybody very much at all, said "pretty good!"   

[brewski]

I am betting that was our member ToledoBass, a.k.a. "Allan."   

I was there with my youngest son for that concert and it was marvelous to hear such an excellent performance live...in a cathedral!  Even my son, who does not praise anything or anybody very much at all, said "pretty good!"   

Yes. (Sorry, I momentarily forgot his username.) And good for you for bringing your son! Conventional wisdom might be something like "kids will never groove on Bruckner" but it sounds like this had an impact. Who knows, in 20 years, your son may say, "Dad, thanks for taking me to that awesome concert."

-Bruce

[Cato]

Favorite recordings of the three masses? I do not know them nearly well enough.

Herreweghe for the F minor mass for me.

Jochum for the others.

Jochum is a sound recommendation. There's not much wrong with the Best/Corydon set either.

Personal favourites:

   

Amen for Eugen Jochum (all 3 Masses) and Philippe Herreweghe.

Yes. (Sorry, I momentarily forgot his username.) And good for you for bringing your son! Conventional wisdom might be something like "kids will never groove on Bruckner" but it sounds like this had an impact. Who knows, in 20 years, your son may say, "Dad, thanks for taking me to that awesome concert."

-Bruce

I look forward to that!   

I do wonder occasionally what will happen to my scores and CD's, since none of my children are really interested. 

We do now have a grandson, 5 months old, so I am hoping that perhaps his ears are like mine...or can be persuaded to become like mine!      

But, we live 1100 miles apart!  So, it will be hard to have much influence.

[LKB]

u r a lucky dude.

+1

[calyptorhynchus]

Yes. (Sorry, I momentarily forgot his username.) And good for you for bringing your son! Conventional wisdom might be something like "kids will never groove on Bruckner" but it sounds like this had an impact. Who knows, in 20 years, your son may say, "Dad, thanks for taking me to that awesome concert."

-Bruce

I bought my first Bruckner LP when I was 15 (and had heard all the symphonies by age 18)... that's why I always regard Bruckner as just a normal composer (though extraordinary of course).

[brewski]

I bought my first Bruckner LP when I was 15 (and had heard all the symphonies by age 18)... that's why I always regard Bruckner as just a normal composer (though extraordinary of course).

Wow. How lucky to experience them so early.

On a related note, for the Bruckner 9th on Friday afternoon (Yannick and Philadelphia), I noticed a group of school kids galloping upstairs, presumably a class trip. I would love to know their thoughts after the concert, even if 99% were indifferent.

-Bruce

[lordlance]

A Sixth for those always on the lookout for great new recordings:

A propulsive interpretation for those like me who dislike measured/leisurely Bruckner.

[Daverz]

A Sixth for those always on the lookout for great new recordings:

A propulsive interpretation for those like me who dislike measured/leisurely Bruckner.

Says video unavailable.  What was it?

[lordlance]

Says video unavailable.  What was it?

A live performance of the Sixth by Gielen conducting the ORF Radio Symphonieorchester Wien (1993)

[Jo498]

The Hänssler recording of the 6th with Gielen is also very good but I think his best Bruckner (I have not heard all of it, they dug out radio and live recordings for a complete box) are #5 and #7.

[relm1]

I thought this new Bruckner 4 release was excellent.  Doesn't displace my favorite but very riveting performance.

[W.A. Mozart]

What do you think about the symphony 1?

[LKB]

quote author=brewski link=msg=1511678 date=1683511236]
Wow. How lucky to experience them so early.

On a related note, for the Bruckner 9th on Friday afternoon (Yannick and Philadelphia), I noticed a group of school kids galloping upstairs, presumably a class trip. I would love to know their thoughts after the concert, even if 99% were indifferent.

-Bruce

I hope at least one of them found it memorable. 

[brewski]

Meanwhile, because I apparently can't get enough Bruckner this week, I stumbled across this terrific Eighth with the Euskadiko Orchestra (Basque National Orchestra) and conductor Robert Trevino, recorded last December. How have I not heard this group before?

-Bruce

[Spotted Horses]

Meanwhile, because I apparently can't get enough Bruckner this week, I stumbled across this terrific Eighth with the Euskadiko Orchestra (Basque National Orchestra) and conductor Robert Trevino, recorded last December. How have I not heard this group before?

-Bruce

The thought that occurs to me is, "why is there a colossal microphone 30 cm away from the violinist. Is she the recording engineer's daughter?

[brewski]

The thought that occurs to me is, "why is there a colossal microphone 30 cm away from the violinist. Is she the recording engineer's daughter?

Gotta make sure we hear that cadenza!

-Bruce