A favorite Bruckner 9 that I first listened to 40 years ago (!) is Barenboim/Chicago on a DG LP. The Scherzo with its galloping rhythms is a particularly effective showpiece in this performance! I recently acquired the Barenboim/Berlin version on Teldec CD. I will have to give it a listen!
Best Sounding Bruckner Recordings
There is a Mahler for Audiophiles thread here, but I am not sure if there is one for Bruckner. IMO these are the two Composers that benefit the most from high quality sound. Both Composers relied extensively upon spatial effects. Bruckner, with his Organist background, was conscious of reverberation effects, and tended to treat the entire Orchestra as one vast Organ. Mahler had many spatial effects built into his Symphonies.
I listen to many historical recordings, but I find that these two composers suffer the most when sonically compromised. I have no problem enjoying a Toscanini Beethoven Symphony, as the majesty of the music and the playing overcome sonic limitations. However, listening to the Horenstein Bruckner Seventh from 1927 is a real trial. Even the best restorations make it sound like it was recorded in a phone booth, and the towering beauty of the piece is missing.
Now, with Bruckner, we have the problem of all of those multiple editions. I am going to confess straight out that I have no expertise here . And given that this is an audiophile site, I will concede readily that the best sounding Bruckner recordings may not necessarily be the ultimate in recorded performance. However, I am looking for comments about great sounding Bruckner recordings that are also good performances
I listen to many historical recordings, but I find that these two composers suffer the most when sonically compromised. I have no problem enjoying a Toscanini Beethoven Symphony, as the majesty of the music and the playing overcome sonic limitations. However, listening to the Horenstein Bruckner Seventh from 1927 is a real trial. Even the best restorations make it sound like it was recorded in a phone booth, and the towering beauty of the piece is missing.
Now, with Bruckner, we have the problem of all of those multiple editions. I am going to confess straight out that I have no expertise here . And given that this is an audiophile site, I will concede readily that the best sounding Bruckner recordings may not necessarily be the ultimate in recorded performance. However, I am looking for comments about great sounding Bruckner recordings that are also good performances
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- 45 posts total
- 45 posts total