Bruckner's Abbey

[Spotted Horses]

Looking back. I purchased the recording of #8 when it was released but no longer have it. I guess. Didn't like it, although my taste has changed since then. I have grown to appreciate less histrionic Bruckner.

Found it on streaming and did a quick sample to refresh my memory. My impression is that it's not bad, but not remarkable in interpretation or audio quality. Not needed.

When I think about it, what I most value in Bruckner recordings is that the brass (primarily trumpets and trombones) are not too dominant, and that the French horns are well represented (interpretively and in terms of recording balance). I'd say the worst cycle I have ever heard is Barenboim/Chicago, and the second worst is Solti/Chicago. Haitink/RCO, Karajan/Various, Chailly/RCO and others are my references.

[Roasted Swan]

Found it on streaming and did a quick sample to refresh my memory. My impression is that it's not bad, but not remarkable in interpretation or audio quality. Not needed.

When I think about it, what I most value in Bruckner recordings is that the brass (primarily trumpets and trombones) are not too dominant, and that the French horns are well represented (interpretively and in terms of recording balance). I'd say the worst cycle I have ever heard is Barenboim/Chicago, and the second worst is Solti/Chicago. Haitink/RCO, Karajan/Various, Chailly/RCO and others are my references.

I love that Barenboim/Chicago cycle - much prefer to either of his subsequent traversals.

[Spotted Horses]

I love that Barenboim/Chicago cycle - much prefer to either of his subsequent traversals.

Love or hate, at least it is not indescript, like the Janowski seems to be.

[DavidW]

although I had no idea the Pentagon had moved away from Military operations to CD releases.........

They decided to make love, not war!

[Iota]

Found it [Bruckner 8, Janowski] on streaming and did a quick sample to refresh my memory. My impression is that it's not bad, but not remarkable in interpretation or audio quality. Not needed. ...

Perhaps not of interest to anybody but me really, but earlier on as a result of your and ultralinear's reservations about Janowski's Bruckner, I decided to give him a listen in the half-expectation/hope I might be able to quickly cross it off the very long list of cycles I've yet to explore (as I've concurred with both your opinions on a number of occasions in the past).
I chose the eighth as I was in the mood for it, and lo and behold I found myself enjoying it, actually rather a lot, so much so that I continued with all the first three movements, when I ran out of time (the last mvt will have to wait till tomorrow). I found in them a spaciousness and grandeur that not only seemed very apt, but illuminated the long term cohesion of each one so well, that I felt in that sense, it was as good as any I've heard.
I must admit recordings I'm keen on first time, sometimes fall victim to a sort of 'what was I thinking' reaction when I go back to them, but for now at least it gets a hearty thumbs up from me, and very glad to have stumbled across it, so thanks for the inadvertent prompt. 

[Spotted Horses]

Perhaps not of interest to anybody but me really, but earlier on as a result of your and ultralinear's reservations about Janowski's Bruckner, I decided to give him a listen in the half-expectation/hope I might be able to quickly cross it off the very long list of cycles I've yet to explore (as I've concurred with both your opinions on a number of occasions in the past).
I chose the eighth as I was in the mood for it, and lo and behold I found myself enjoying it, actually rather a lot, so much so that I continued with all the first three movements, when I ran out of time (the last mvt will have to wait till tomorrow). I found in them a spaciousness and grandeur that not only seemed very apt, but illuminated the long term cohesion of each one so well, that I felt in that sense, it was as good as any I've heard.
I must admit recordings I'm keen on first time, sometimes fall victim to a sort of 'what was I thinking' reaction when I go back to them, but for now at least it gets a hearty thumbs up from me, and very glad to have stumbled across it, so thanks for the inadvertent prompt. 

I'm sure I would have enjoyed if I took the time to do more than sample a favorite passage. It is frustrating not to have the time to explore all of the music I'm interested in.

[Cato]

I'm sure I would have enjoyed if I took the time to do more than sample a favorite passage. It is frustrating not to have the time to explore all of the music I'm interested in.

You are in a very large club with the rest of us!  😇

[LKB]

You are in a very large club with the rest of us!  😇

Quite true, and it get's worse once you realize that there's even more music out there that you are unaware of, which you'd be interested in, and you'll never get to that either... 

[Cato]

Quite true, and it gets worse once you realize that there's even more music out there that you are unaware of, which you'd be interested in, and you'll never get to that either... 

😇 Amen! 😇
 

One of our members used to have a quotation by Rachmaninoff at the bottom of his comments:

"Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for Music!" 😇

[Que]

Apparently the BRSO had some more Haitink recordings on the shelves:



What's the word on this 7th?
Interestingly this is not late Haitink (appropriately reflected by the picture) - the recording is made up from two live recordings in 1981.

https://www.brso.de/en/cd-dvd/anton-bruckner-symphonie-nr-7-e-dur/

[LKB]

Apparently the BRSO had some more Haitink recordings on the shelves:



What's the word on this 7th?
Interestingly this is not late Haitink (appropriately reflected by the picture) - the recording is made up from two live recordings in 1981.

https://www.brso.de/en/cd-dvd/anton-bruckner-symphonie-nr-7-e-dur/

I'll attempt to search this out after lunch, if memory serves Haitink was strong in the Seventh.

[LKB]

No luck thus far in locating that specific recording... 

[Spotted Horses]

You are in a very large club with the rest of us!  😇

In my case the practical limit is about 15-30 minutes per day, depending on how far below five hours of sleep I am willing to go.

[LKB]

In my case the practical limit is about 15-30 minutes per day, depending on how far below five hours of sleep I am willing to go.

That's about what I spend, actually listening.

By engaging the stereo between my ears, hours of musical enjoyment are mine, every day. 

[DavidW]

What's the word on this 7th?
Interestingly this is not late Haitink (appropriately reflected by the picture) - the recording is made up from two live recordings in 1981.

Pretty good but the standouts for me on that label are still the 5th and 6th (which are also much later).  I still desire to listen to his studio efforts in Bruckner.

I always find it odd when the record label uses a picture of the conductor as an old man when the performance dates from when he was younger.  Classic example is Bernstein sony/columbia Mahler.  He was middle aged when he recorded that first cycle, but the picture of the cover is DG era Bernstein.

[DavidW]

No luck thus far in locating that specific recording...

You don't stream?

[DavidW]

That's about what I spend, actually listening.

By engaging the stereo between my ears, hours of musical enjoyment are mine, every day. 

I like to spend an hour in the morning just listening on my stereo while I have my morning coffee and breakfast.  Anywhere from 1-3 times a week I will also dedicate time in the evening to just listening.

My time at work I'm not counting because I really have it on while I do grading or prep work.

[Cato]

For Lent: Bruckner's motet Vexilla Regis

Text by Venantius Fortunatus :

VEXILLA Regis prodeunt;
fulget Crucis mysterium,
qua vita mortem pertulit,
et morte vitam protulit.

(The banners of the King fly,
now shines the Cross's mystery:
upon it Life did death endure,
and yet by death is Life secure.)

O Crux ave, spes unica,
hoc Passionis tempore!
piis adauge gratiam,
reisque dele crimina.

(Hail Cross, of hopes the most sublime!
Now, in the mournful Passion time;
grant to the just increase of grace,
and every sinner's crimes erase. )

Te, fons salutis Trinitas,
collaudet omnis spiritus:
quibus Crucis victoriam
largiris, adde praemium.


(Blest Trinity, salvation's spring
may every soul Thy praises sing;
to those Thou grantest conquest by
the Holy Cross, rewards supply. Amen. )

[brewski]

On Friday, March 1 at 2:00 pm (EST), Manfred Honeck and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester will livestream Bruckner's Ninth. I have loved Honeck's Bruckner recordings with the Pittsburgh Symphony, and the Elbphilharmonie hall in Hamburg is just gorgeous.

-Bruce

[Cato]

Professor John Phillips of the quartet of musicologists, who worked on the reconstruction of the Ninth Symphony's Finale with the aid of a few new discoveries, has recently done his own revision of their work.


It has been performed by a student/professor orchestra in Germany, and is set to be performed by professional orchestras this year, one of them being in Tokyo with Eliahu Inbal conducting, who obviously thinks the revision is worthy of his time!


On YouTube, Professor Phillips offered a digital version of the score to anyone interested.


I have always been interested in this: I had a friend in the 1970's who was able to photocopy Alfred Orel's compilation of the surviving sketches (known at the time, i.e. 1934) for me. 



So, I sent a note to Professor Phillips and - to prove that I had some musical competence and that I was not wasting his time - included a copy of the manuscript of my cantata for 9 voices Exaudi me.


Here is part of his reply:

"I finally am able to send you a copy of the revised score (with latest revisions for Tokyo)...

I'd very much value your insights, especially considering the very interesting choral work you were kind enough to send me - Wow!"

I was more than astonished by the last comments!     



I truly expected my cantata to be ignored or just given a simple thank-you!


I doubt that I will have any "insights," but will do my best to peruse the score carefully.  😇