Bruckner symphonies

[Maestro267]

5 and 8 are the twin peaks of the cycle. 4 and 7 are the popular ones.

[GoranTch]

If you are new to Bruckner, I would recommend No.7 as a starting point. Wonderfully melodic, also light on more acerbic/enigmatic aspects of his style. But make no mistake - No.7 is just as deep and "heavy" a work as any other Bruckner symphony.

Recordings: For No.7, you can actually see a wonderful performance by hr-Sinfonieorchester and Christoph Eschenbach here:

My favourite set of all 9 symphonies:

[brewski]

If you are new to Bruckner, I would recommend No.7 as a starting point. Wonderfully melodic, also light on more acerbic/enigmatic aspects of his style. But make no mistake - No.7 is just as deep and "heavy" a work as any other Bruckner symphony.

Excellent recommendations all around, and the Seventh is a joy. I've said it for years: that opening cello line is one of the greatest things ever.

[Cato]

If you are new to Bruckner, I would recommend No.7 as a starting point. Wonderfully melodic, also light on more acerbic/enigmatic aspects of his style. But make no mistake - No.7 is just as deep and "heavy" a work as any other Bruckner symphony.

Recordings: For No.7, you can actually see a wonderful performance by hr-Sinfonieorchester and Christoph Eschenbach here:

My favourite set of all 9 symphonies:

Excellent recommendations all around, and the Seventh is a joy. I've said it for years: that opening cello line is one of the greatest things ever.

Amen!!!

I have told the story before: I knew nothing about Bruckner, until at age 12 or so I came across the Nowak score of the Seventh Symphony in the library, opened it, read through the first pages, and knew that I just had to hear that work!

[foxandpeng]

Amen!!!

I have told the story before: I knew nothing about Bruckner, until at age 12 or so I came across the Nowak score of the Seventh Symphony in the library, opened it, read through the first pages, and knew that I just had to hear that work!

I do envy your skill in being able to do that. I can barely figure out whether I like most of the music I hear, even when I've heard it! Often, multiple listens are needed.

Hats off to you! 😁

[Cato]

I do envy your skill in being able to do that. I can barely figure out whether I like most of the music I hear, even when I've heard it! Often, multiple listens are needed.

Hats off to you! 😁

A gift from God!

There is a word in German, Augenmusik, for a phenomenon in which the written score gives an impression of something interesting, when in fact the music is not very good at all.*

That absolutely did NOT apply to Bruckner's Seventh Symphony!!! 


* The term is also used for scores which deliberately resemble pictures, e.g. an outline of the Cologne Cathedral, or anything else.  The music might be interesting in such cases: it will, of course, depend upon the composer.

[foxandpeng]

A gift from God!

There is a word in German, Augenmusik, for a phenomenon in which the written score gives an impression of something interesting, when in fact the music is not very good at all.*

That absolutely did NOT apply to Bruckner's Seventh Symphony!!! 


* The term is also used for scores which deliberately resemble pictures, e.g. an outline of the Cologne Cathedral, or anything else.  The music might be interesting in such cases: it will, of course, depend upon the composer.

Without a doubt!

[Iota]

Excellent recommendations all around, and the Seventh is a joy. I've said it for years: that opening cello line is one of the greatest things ever.

I just wanted to add to the mini chorus of adoration for that opening cello line, it is something very special. A bit like @Cato, the moment I heard it I was transfixed, and my love for Bruckner started on the spot. Still whenever I hear it, it is like a switch turned on in my brain and I experience that first moment of love all over again.