Bruckner's Abbey

[vers la flamme]

The original version of the 3rd is really blowing my mind right now. Bad Brucknerian that I am, this is the first I've really noticed any substantial differences between different versions (aside from things like hearing/not hearing the cymbal in the adagio of the 7th etc). I don't have the score, so it's hard for me to say exactly what's different, but it seems that Bruckner's original vision for the symphony was quite different than what it would become in the revisions; it seems much more spacious and tranquil than the more dramatic symphony that would emerge in the later versions.

I'm listening to the Tintner/Royal Scottish on Naxos, and possibly interpretation is a factor in my impressions, too. I'm quite sure his tempos are slower than any other recording I have, definitely coming off as "Zen Bruckner" à la Celibidache.

If I wasn't already (just recently!) convinced of the greatness of Bruckner's 3rd symphony, hearing the original version would have put to rest any lingering doubts I might have still had.

[Lisztianwagner]

The original version of the 3rd is really blowing my mind right now. Bad Brucknerian that I am, this is the first I've really noticed any substantial differences between different versions (aside from things like hearing/not hearing the cymbal in the adagio of the 7th etc). I don't have the score, so it's hard for me to say exactly what's different, but it seems that Bruckner's original vision for the symphony was quite different than what it would become in the revisions; it seems much more spacious and tranquil than the more dramatic symphony that would emerge in the later versions.

I'm listening to the Tintner/Royal Scottish on Naxos, and possibly interpretation is a factor in my impressions, too. I'm quite sure his tempos are slower than any other recording I have, definitely coming off as "Zen Bruckner" à la Celibidache.

If I wasn't already (just recently!) convinced of the greatness of Bruckner's 3rd symphony, hearing the original version would have put to rest any lingering doubts I might have still had.

I would be very curious to listen to the original version of Bruckner No.3, I think I've only got 1889 versions; the 1873 version had many quotes from Wagner's operas which were cut afterwards in the following revisions!

[vers la flamme]

I would be very curious to listen to the original version of Bruckner No.3, I think I've only got 1889 versions; the 1873 version had many quotes from Wagner's operas which were cut afterwards in the following revisions!

You being much more familiar with Wagner than I am would surely appreciate them more. I didn't hear them but I also didn't know exactly what to listen for. Anyway, check out the Tintner! It really was an excellent performance.

[Brian]

The original Third is a magical experience and yes, totally different - the big noticeable change is that in the first movement, there is a fake recapitulation which leads into a hushed, solemn, religious episode that I think is a quote from Wagner. Once that episode is over, the real recapitulation arrives.

I love a fast, vigorous, youthful Third in the final version (Szell's is my quite unpopular favorite) but the Tintner original version is a truly unique vision. I think you'll find most people agree it is a milestone achievement in Bruckner recordings.

[JBS]

I seem to be in a minority here.
Tintner's recordings of the First, Second, and Third Symphonies were my introduction to Bruckner. They nearly bored me to death. Thank God I perservered with Herreweghe's Seventh...

The only worse Bruckner recording I've ever heard is Colin Davis's Sixth on LSO.

ETA: Celibadache's Fourth might be worse, now that I think of it. But at least Celibadache was bad in an interesting way.

[calyptorhynchus]

I seem to be in a minority here.
Tintner's recordings of the First, Second, and Third Symphonies were my introduction to Bruckner. They nearly bored me to death. Thank God I perservered with Herreweghe's Seventh...

The only worse Bruckner recording I've ever heard is Colin Davis's Sixth on LSO.

ETA: Celibadache's Fourth might be worse, now that I think of it. But at least Celibadache was bad in an interesting way.

Interesting how tastes differ. Those four recordings you mention are my favourites for those works!

[lordlance]

Concerning your last sentence: do you mean that you find the coda itself to be bizarre, or that the way Sinopoli conducted it made it seem bizarre and "slapped on haphazardly"?

The coda as written by Bruckner is bizarre. Sounds completely unnecessary.

The original version of the 3rd is really blowing my mind right now. Bad Brucknerian that I am, this is the first I've really noticed any substantial differences between different versions (aside from things like hearing/not hearing the cymbal in the adagio of the 7th etc). I don't have the score, so it's hard for me to say exactly what's different, but it seems that Bruckner's original vision for the symphony was quite different than what it would become in the revisions; it seems much more spacious and tranquil than the more dramatic symphony that would emerge in the later versions.

I can't tell Bruckner revisions either precisely except when it sounds different than what I recall. For my money, I can't stand the original Fourth - a really bad edit of the work we know and love.

[Brian]

I seem to be in a minority here.
Tintner's recordings of the First, Second, and Third Symphonies were my introduction to Bruckner. They nearly bored me to death. Thank God I perservered with Herreweghe's Seventh...

The only worse Bruckner recording I've ever heard is Colin Davis's Sixth on LSO.

ETA: Celibadache's Fourth might be worse, now that I think of it. But at least Celibadache was bad in an interesting way.

I like fast vigorous Bruckner now, especially when the speed is coupled with lyrical warmth and heart rather than just loud blasts of sound. Herreweghe, Walter, Harnoncourt in some symphonies. I have completely lost interest in the Celibidache approach. But Tintner 3 still has a place for me.

The problem is probably that it was your introduction to the composer. Bruckner is a terrible guy for "starting from the beginning"!

[vers la flamme]

I like fast vigorous Bruckner now, especially when the speed is coupled with lyrical warmth and heart rather than just loud blasts of sound. Herreweghe, Walter, Harnoncourt in some symphonies. I have completely lost interest in the Celibidache approach. But Tintner 3 still has a place for me.

The problem is probably that it was your introduction to the composer. Bruckner is a terrible guy for "starting from the beginning"!

Starting from (near) the end worked well enough for me—well, I started with 4, then 9, then 7, then I was hooked.

[JBS]

I like fast vigorous Bruckner now, especially when the speed is coupled with lyrical warmth and heart rather than just loud blasts of sound. Herreweghe, Walter, Harnoncourt in some symphonies. I have completely lost interest in the Celibidache approach. But Tintner 3 still has a place for me.

The problem is probably that it was your introduction to the composer. Bruckner is a terrible guy for "starting from the beginning"!

I happen to be listening to Gielen's recording [RSO Saarbrucken 1968] of the Second now from the SWR set; the first movement at least matches your description of fast vigorous but lyrical. I'm liking it so far.

[vers la flamme]

Heinz Rögner made some pretty zippy Bruckner recordings for, I think, Berlin Classics.

[DavidW]

Starting from (near) the end worked well enough for me—well, I started with 4, then 9, then 7, then I was hooked.

I started with 4 and 9 Jochum/Dresden.

[vers la flamme]

I started with 4 and 9 Jochum/Dresden.

Barenboim/Berlin Philharmonic for me. I still LOVE that cycle, though I think I'm the only one who does.

[DavidW]

Barenboim/Berlin Philharmonic for me. I still LOVE that cycle, though I think I'm the only one who does.

That is easy to stream so I'll give it a shot.  I've been meaning to for several months but I'm not exactly focused or organized in my listening.

[lordlance]

Starting from (near) the end worked well enough for me—well, I started with 4, then 9, then 7, then I was hooked.

I started with the 9th possibly and the second movement was possibly why I stuck around. That and 6.I were just such fun to listen to.

[ChamberNut]

Put in an order today for this!  Cross-posted from purchases today thread.

[DavidW]

Put in an order today for this!  Cross-posted from purchases today thread.

One of my favorite cycles!  Highly consistent, very intense.

[vers la flamme]

Put in an order today for this!  Cross-posted from purchases today thread.

How much? I'd love to hear this.

[ChamberNut]

How much? I'd love to hear this.

It was $55 Cdn on Amazon Canada.

I have been wanting to get this for quite some time now.

Based on David Hurwitz recommendation.

[ChamberNut]

One of my favorite cycles!  Highly consistent, very intense.

Was something I wanted to get for long time since it is generally very highly regarded and was Hurwitz's top cycle choice.