Favorite Bruckner Interpreters

[Karl Henning]

. . . along with Mozart (that I wasn't as fond of) . . . .

You anticipated my query, Brian : )

[TheGSMoeller]

A little surprised that Harnoncourt hasn't received any votes, his recordings seemed to be well received (based on reviews both from professional publications and online reviewers).
I have his 5th and 9th and find much enjoyment from them, Harnoncourt is very different in his approach to this music, which might be accurately stated for most of his recordings regardless of the composer.

Would like to start having people list their favorite recordings of each symphony, although I feel that there may already be a thread that contains this.

[Sergeant Rock]

Would like to start having people list their favorite recordings of each symphony, although I feel that there may already be a thread that contains this.

And if there is another thread, I wonder how this list matches that one    Today I'm feeling the love for these:

0 - Blunier/Beethoven O Bonn
     Maazel/SOBR
     Barenboim/Chicago

1 - Wand/Kölner RSO
     Maazel/SOBR
     Tintner/Scottish National

2 - Barenboim/Berlin Phil
     Jochm/SOBR
     Tintner/NSO Ireland
     Maazel/SOBR

3 - Szell/Cleveland (Schalk)
     Maazel/SOBR
     Celibidache/Munich
     Marthé/European Phil
     Tinter/Scottish National

4 - Karajan/Berlin Phil (EMI)
     Wand/NDR SO
     Celibidache/Munich
     Nagano/Bayerisches StaatsO

5 - Dohnányi/Cleveland
     Celibidache/Munich
     Jochum/Concertgebouw
     Knappertsbusch/Vienna Phil (Schalk)

6 - Klemperer/Philharmonia
     Dohnányi/Cleveland
     Norrington/RSO Stuttgart
     Stein/Vienna Phil

7 - Chailly/RSO Berlin
      Karajan/Berlin Phil (EMI)
      Klemperer/Philharmonia

8 - Szell/Cleveland
     Maazel/Berlin Phil
     Celibidache/Munich
     Paita/Philharmonic SO

9 - Giulini/Vienna Phil
     Haitink/Concertgebouw
     Jochum/Dresden
     Marthé/European Phil (with a Finale completion)
     

Sarge

[TheGSMoeller]

Thanks, Sarge. 

I plan on making my list once I get through my new collection of Bruckner discs, (I have about 6-7 more to listen to from my recent splurge). Before this I was very keen on Barenboim and Dohnanyi's recordings, I still am, but have discovered a few more (like Wand/BPO's 8th) that are easy top choices for me now.

[Sergeant Rock]

Thanks, Sarge. 

I plan on making my list once I get through my new collection of Bruckner discs, (I have about 6-7 more to listen to from my recent splurge). Before this I was very keen on Barenboim and Dohnanyi's recordings, I still am, but have discovered a few more (like Wand/BPO's 8th) that are easy top choices for me now.

That Wand/Berlin 8th is a great interpretation and performance (it's Jens's favorite, and I can see why). But sonically it lets me down. The Finale's muddy coda buries intrumental detail--which rules it out for me as a top choice.

Sarge

[MishaK]

A little surprised that Harnoncourt hasn't received any votes, his recordings seemed to be well received (based on reviews both from professional publications and online reviewers).
I have his 5th and 9th and find much enjoyment from them, Harnoncourt is very different in his approach to this music, which might be accurately stated for most of his recordings regardless of the composer.

His Bruckner is definitely always interesting. I just don't think he quite holds the whole together as well as the best. I do think his lecture on the finale fragments included on the bonus disc with his 9th is a must have for anyone with any serious interest in the 9th or in Bruckner's compositional process.

Would like to start having people list their favorite recordings of each symphony, although I feel that there may already be a thread that contains this.

00. (1863) - Skrowaczewski/Saarbrücken RSO
0. (1869) - Inbal/Frankfurt RSO, Barenboim/CSO, Skrowaczewski/Saarbrücken RSO
1. (1866) - Schaller/Philharmonie Festiva
1. (1877) - Skrowaczewski/Saarbrücken RSO, Barenboim/CSO
2. (1872) - Schaller/Philharmonie Festiva
2. (1877) - Barenboim/Berlin PO, Skrowaczewski/Saarbrücken RSO
3. (1873) - Inbal/Frankfurt RSO
3. Adagio (1876) - Tintner/RSNO (only because of the lack of alternatives)
3. (1877) - Gielen/SWR Baden-Baden/Freiburg, Haitink/VPO
3. (1878) - Kubelik/BRSO live audite
3. (1889) - Jochum/SK Dresden
3. (1890) - Schuricht/Vienna PO
4. (1874) - Inbal/Frankfurt RSO, Nagano/Bavarian State Opera Orch
4. Volksfest Finale (1878) - Tintner/RSNO (only because of lack of alternatives)
4. (1878/80) - Wand/Berlin PO, Kubelik/BRSO
4. (1888) - Vänskä/Minnesota O
5. (1878) - Barenboim/Berlin PO, Furtwängler/BPO, Asahina/Osaka Phil, Sinopoli/Dresden
6. (1881) - Skrowaczewski/Saarbrücken RSO, Barenboim/CSO
7. (1885) - Böhm/BRSO/Audite, Chailly Berlin RSO
8. (1887) - Inbal/Frankfurt RSO
8. (1887/90) - Kubelik/BRSO/BR Klassik, Boulez/VPO, Schuricht/VPO
8. (1890) - Tennstedt/London PO
9. (1894) - Skrowaczewski/Minnesota O, Barenboim/CSO, Wand/NDR(DVD)
9. (1896) finale fragments - Harnoncourt/Vienna PO
9. 2010 Carragan finale - Schaller/Phil Festiva
9. 2011 SCMP finale - Rattle/BPO

[TheGSMoeller]

Great list, MishaK. I see Inbal on there a few times, I like (most of) that set, especially the earlier works as you noted.

[MishaK]

Great list, MishaK. I see Inbal on there a few times, I like (most of) that set, especially the earlier works as you noted.

Yes, he brings a unique fire and conviction to the early versions that others miss (and that is arguably somewhat missing in some of his own other recordings). It's also great that he doesn't overthink the early works and leads them with a natural lyricism.

[Octave]

My thanks to Sarge and MishaK for those favorite Bruckner lists; I am manic for lists, between my schematic tendencies and laziness.  I wonder if it would be useful to crosspost these lists to the "Bruckner's Abbey" thread in Composer Discussion, or even post such lists there instead.  I only say this because it's a slightly easier place to find whilst browsing..."Polling Station" can be a little tucked-away.
Whatever the case, I hope more of you draw up such informal lists!

[TheGSMoeller]

I've added Venzago to the list. If anything for my own possible use of a vote. Just got through with his recording of 4 and 7 with the Basel Symphony Orchestra on Spotify, and I was taken by the highly expressive accounts. Some effective choices in tempi and phrasing that were new to my ears. Not sure I've heard such a dissection of Bruckner's music, but I can't wait to run through these again.

[TheGSMoeller]

After some intense exploration of Bruckner's symphonies, I feel that I have compiled a solid list of my top choices for recordings. I will exclude his first three (F minor, D minor "Die Nullte" and No. 1) as I have only heard two-three recordings of each and don't believe I have enough of a variety to decide.

Symphony no 2 in C minor:
Tintner/Ireland National So (1872 version) - Besides the first three, this is another that I still need a little more time with, but have heard Karajan, Chailly, Young, Inbal, Venzago (which I enjoyed) and finally the Tintner. I definitely prefer the original version, mostly for placing the Adagio third (there is such a nice seque formed with this switch of the movements) and also prefer using the horn in the final bars of the Adagio as opposed to the clarinet, it is purely a personal choice. Tintner's overall statement is a long one, but never feels sluggish, and I feel this symphony has a nice pastoral feel to it (mainly the third and final movements which is another reason why I think they work well together) and the Ireland National S.O. offer a smooth quality in their tone that compliment this, but they can also turn on the fire when needed.
Symphony no 3 in D minor
Inbal/Franfurt Radio SO (1873 version)
Solti/Chicago S.O. (1877 Nowak)
Vanska/BBC Scottish S.O. (1877, with 1876 Adagio) - This was the toughest lot to choose, there are so many different versions of the 3rd to pick from, and they are all good. This is the symphony that I really enjoyed exploring the most, there is so much greatness to the 3rd that I was unaware of. The Solti has been with me for decades now, still remains a favorite, very polished. The Vanska performance is the most unique, a perfect flow throughout the four movements, plus I like how he really brings out a nice dance feel in the finale.
Symphony no 4 in E flat major "Romantic"
Nagano/Bavarian State Opera Orchestra (1874 version)
Dohnanyi/Cleveland O. (1881 Haas)
Venzago/Basel Symphony Orchestra (1886 Nowak) - I have always wanted my "Romantic" recordings to head towards the swifter side rather than broader. Also with a leaner-toned atmosphere, which I feel Dohnanyi and Cleveland accomplish in spades. The Nagano is the first performance to convince me that the original 4th is worthy of recognition. But the Venzago is the most perfect rendition of this lovely work I've encountered. At times sounds more classical than romantic in its approach, but that never diminishes it's beauty.
Symphony no 5 in B flat major
Chailly/Royal Concertgebouw (1875 Haas)
Celibidache/Munich Philharmonic Orchestra (1875) - For a long time I would regard No. 5 as the best of Bruckner. To me, it's his most majestic, it travels the universe and back. And Chailly and Celibidache achieve this more than any other.
Symphony no 6 in A major
Eschenbach/Houston or London Phil (1881)
Dohnanyi/Cleveland O. (1881)
Norrington/Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra (1881) - Along with the 3rd, I found immense pleasure in becoming re-acquainted with the 6th. I still believe it contains the greatest moment of Bruckner's compositional career within the closing minutes of the opening Maestoso. These three (or four) choices couldn't be any more different. Eschenbach is great with both Houston or London Phil, but my purpose for choosing both is for his interpretation of the 6th, which both groups convey. Eschenbach takes many liberties with this music, stretching out key phrases and themes, and giving the 6th an overall grandiose feel. Dohnanyi and Cleveland are clean, crisp and perfectly balanced. And look, it's everyone's favorite crazy Uncle Roger. I'm a paying member of the Norrington fan club, but find this to be his  only success of his Bruckner series. Norrington zips through this piece, especially the finale, (12:39 compared to Dohnanyi 14:47, Eschenbach LPO 15:27) but he keeps it together and strongly convinces with his tempi. And kudos to the Stuttgart players, they keep up without ever missing a beat, literally  and it's a live performance!
Symphony no 7 in E major
Chailly/Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (1885 Nowak)
Herreweghe/Champs-Élysées Orchestra (1885) - Chailly is simply the best when it comes to the 7th. Not sure if Herreweghe's take would work on any other of Bruckner's symphonies (haven't heard the 4th or 5th from these forces) but it works here. It's light, and very lyrical. That's not a pun.
Symphony no 8 in C minor
Wand/Berlin Phil - I for one never got much from the 8th other than a long, brass-heavy filled finale with a kick-ass coda. Wand's live recording with Berlin is the first to convince me otherwise, that there are three other phenomanal movements, that together make for one long, brass-heavy filled 80 minutes...with a kick-ass coda. Brilliant stuff right here.
Symphony no 9 in D minor
Barenboim/Berlin Phil
Harnoncourt/Vienna Phil - Two very distinct performances. Barenboim is a bit more bleak whereas Harnoncourt offers a little more hope in the end.

[Jean Rivier]

Not if I'm late to vote, but if I still can: Jochum, Wand and Skrowaczewski. I am sorry to leave off the list to Giulini   

[TheGSMoeller]

Not if I'm late to vote, but if I still can: Jochum, Wand and Skrowaczewski. I am sorry to leave off the list to Giulini   

Never too late   

And after hearing Skrowaczewski's 5th, I may have to edit my recording pics to include it. More than likely replacing Celibidache's 5th.

[Cascade]

I voted:

Böhm
Karajan
Tintner

[DavidRoss]

I voted:

Karajan (probably the only context in which he'd make my top 3 ... or 10 ... or ....)
Wand
Nagano (I don't really have another fave, except for certain symphony recordings, but I've heard several of Nagano's and think him surprisingly good!)

How come Dennis Russell Davies isn't an option:  Disdain? Unfamiliarity? Or just an oversight?

[Parsifal]

Karajan (probably the only context in which he'd make my top 3 ... or 10 ... or ....)

Recently I've been listening almost exclusively to Fluffy's recordings from the 60's or earlier (in contrast to the 70's recordings that dominate DG's release schedule) and I am finding his work most interesting for the non-standard non-germanic stuff.   His '63 Sacre du Printemps is quite interesting, as well as the Musorgsky, Debussy, Holst and Liszt.

[TheGSMoeller]

I voted:

Karajan (probably the only context in which he'd make my top 3 ... or 10 ... or ....)
Wand
Nagano (I don't really have another fave, except for certain symphony recordings, but I've heard several of Nagano's and think him surprisingly good!)

How come Dennis Russell Davies isn't an option:  Disdain? Unfamiliarity? Or just an oversight?

I like Nagano's 4th and 6th, both very good.

And the Russell Davies was an oversight, I'll add him.

[marvinbrown]

  Had this been a Wagner Interpreter Thread I would have been able to participate more.  I only have one set, which I enjoy tremendously so I only cast one vote: Jochum on DG!  Yup this set:

  [asin]B00006YXOX[/asin]

  I thought this was definitive, I thought that I had reached Bruckner Nirvana, I thought that I did not need another set! Well??

  marvin

[Sergeant Rock]

I only cast one vote: Jochum on DG! I thought this was definitive, I thought that I had reached Bruckner Nirvana, I thought that I did not need another set! Well??

  marvin

Bruckner Nirvana is found only in Celi's recordings 

Sarge

[marvinbrown]

Bruckner Nirvana is found only in Celi's recordings 

Sarge

  Pardon the questions Sarge but......... WHO?? and WHY??

  marvin