Bruckner's Abbey

[Roasted Swan]

What is you guys' favorite recording of Bruckner Fifth? I've recently gotten into this marvelous symphony.

Check out this famous version;



As a live performance it has appeared in various incarnations - just look for December 1986/Concertgebouw.  It was Jochum's last performance of the work and perhaps I'm wanting to 'hear' something valedictory because of that but it really is rather special.  The idea of emotional 'journies' is painfully over used but I do hear a sense where the music goes from world-weary almost painful beginings to final affirmatory grandeur.  If it sounds this good on disc in the hall it must have been utterly amazing.....

[Jo498]

For something a bit different (fast, dramatic, not much "incense") try Harnoncourt and Welser-Möst.

[ultralinear]

This one is also pretty lively:

[ultralinear]

Interesting video on the technical recording details of Karajan's DG cycle of Bruckner symphonies, from the perspective of the engineers remixing the original 8-track tapes for a new LP release:

[Baxcalibur]

What is you guys' favorite recording of Bruckner Fifth? I've recently gotten into this marvelous symphony.

Haitink with the Concertgebouworkest from 1972 and Sawallisch with the Bayerisches Staatsorchester. They both take a no-nonsense "eyes on the prize" approach and feature great playing and recorded sound. The performances of the coda are my ideal of fff brass playing.

[Cato]

What is you guys' favorite recording of Bruckner Fifth? I've recently gotten into this marvelous symphony.

[/quote]

Greetings Skogwald!

This recommendation is on target:

Check out this famous version;



As a live performance it has appeared in various incarnations - just look for December 1986/Concertgebouw.  It was Jochum's last performance of the work and perhaps I'm wanting to 'hear' something valedictory because of that but it really is rather special.  The idea of emotional 'journeys' is painfully over used but I do hear a sense where the music goes from world-weary almost painful beginnings to final affirmatory grandeur.  If it sounds this good on disc in the hall it must have been utterly amazing.....

There is also this 1964 Jochum/Concertgebouw performance, which is not to be missed:

Eugen Jochum's DGG performance from 1958 is a little different, in that he really slows down the final bars of the Finale: it could be considered an acquired taste.

[Cato]

I fixed the link above to the DGG 1958 recording:

[Daverz]

Many great recordings, but one that sticks in the mind is this:

Yup, that's a good one. 

[LKB]

What is you guys' favorite recording of Bruckner Fifth? I've recently gotten into this marvelous symphony.

Von Karajan's studio effort with the BPO on DG is one you should hear. There's a decent upload on YouTube, if you can abide an occasional commercial interruption.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aff-90loL4

I'm also a fan of Haitink's Bruckner, and he recorded a very good digital account with the VPO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piph2qoOBNQ&t=9s

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

What is you guys' favorite recording of Bruckner Fifth? I've recently gotten into this marvelous symphony.

I have several --- in no particular order: Wand/Berliner, Karajan (DG), Celibidache (Warner), Skrowaczewski and Jochum (both DG and Warner).

[Mandryka]

Check out this famous version;



As a live performance it has appeared in various incarnations - just look for December 1986/Concertgebouw.  It was Jochum's last performance of the work and perhaps I'm wanting to 'hear' something valedictory because of that but it really is rather special.  The idea of emotional 'journies' is painfully over used but I do hear a sense where the music goes from world-weary almost painful beginings to final affirmatory grandeur.  If it sounds this good on disc in the hall it must have been utterly amazing.....

I'm listening to it now. Either you're right or you've hypnotised me into feeling the same way. Thanks!

[André]

Jochum's Dec 1986 is his best IMO and stands above most other versions, including his previous recorded efforts.

Wand's NDR (Hamburg) performance is thrilling and towering in equal measure - also the best of his various recordings.

I have a VERY soft spot for Klemperer's NPO commercial version. It leaves me mentally exhausted each time - almost panting, actually. His live NPO and WP performances are also hugely impressive, albeit in lower-fi: slightly different (quirky in places) but not better overall.

Otmar Suitner's Berlin Radio performance is an incredibly exciting, beautifully performed and recorded version. At under 70 minutes, it's also one of the fastest. It never feels rushed, simply volcanically alive in exactly the right places. Sumptuous and magnificently alive. A corker.

Another fast, exciting and superbly played/engineered version - more objective ? is Inbal's Teldec account from Stuttgart.

A stupendously imposing performance, probably the best of his Altomonte cycle is from Remy Ballot on Gramola. At over 89 minutes (on a single disc !) in superb cathedral sound. Not a first choice, but a demonstration that slow CAN be exciting.  When applied to Bruckner, it makes for a magnificent musical experience.

Among good-sounding historical performances, I must single out the exciting, biting ACO/van Beinum and Schuricht's noble, bold live WP from 1963. Despite their vintage years, they reveal the work's incredible complexity in a cohesive, exciting way.

For a single rec, Jochum's 1986 ACO is the thing.

[Roasted Swan]

I'm listening to it now. Either you're right or you've hypnotised me into feeling the same way. Thanks!

Hypnotism every time!

[Cato]

Jochum's Dec 1986 is his best IMO and stands above most other versions, including his previous recorded efforts.

Wand's NDR (Hamburg) performance is thrilling and towering in equal measure - also the best of his various recordings.

I have a VERY soft spot for Klemperer's NPO commercial version. It leaves me mentally exhausted each time - almost panting, actually. His live NPO and WP performances are also hugely impressive, albeit in lower-fi: slightly different (quirky in places) but not better overall.

Otmar Suitner's Berlin Radio performance is an incredibly exciting, beautifully performed and recorded version. At under 70 minutes, it's also one of the fastest. It never feels rushed, simply volcanically alive in exactly the right places. Sumptuous and magnificently alive. A corker.

Another fast, exciting and superbly played/engineered version - more objective ? is Inbal's Teldec account from Stuttgart.

A stupendously imposing performance, probably the best of his Altomonte cycle is from Remy Ballot on Gramola. At over 89 minutes (on a single disc !) in superb cathedral sound. Not a first choice, but a demonstration that slow CAN be exciting.  When applied to Bruckner, it makes for a magnificent musical experience.

Among good-sounding historical performances, I must single out the exciting, biting ACO/van Beinum and Schuricht's noble, bold live WP from 1963. Despite their vintage years, they reveal the work's incredible complexity in a cohesive, exciting way.

For a single rec, Jochum's 1986 ACO is the thing.

Yes, Carl Schuricht's recording of the Symphony #9 on the old Seraphim/Angel is also not to be missed!

And yes again to the 1986 Bruckner Symphony #5 performance with Eugen Jochum and the Concertgebouw Orchestra!



And it seems that I must listen to these Remy Ballot performances!   

[Mandryka]

Hypnotism every time!

The pain Jochum finds in the first movement is real enough - a revelation for me.