David Harbin ([log in to unmask]) wrote:

>Can I throw my hat into the ring and name my favourite Bruckner recordings?
>Perhaps others out there can suggest their own favourite list:

I will add my Pfennige's worth:

F-minor Study Symphony

Ashkenazy or the new Tintner; both are excellent in this underrated work,
with Ashkenazy having slightly better sound.

>1.  Unsure.  Possibly the new Tintner when it is released.

The new Tintner is out and it is quite good.  My #1 choice on a single
disc, however, is Sieghart on Camerata.  Overall best IMO is the Jochum on
DG.  If that ever sees the light of day as a single it will be unsurpassed.

D-minor, "Nullte"

Those seeking a single disc won't go wrong with the cheapo Marriner on
LaserLight.  The Tintner is excellent, coupled with a superb Symphony No.
8, First Version.

>2.  Karajan/BPO

Eichhorn on Camerata, for the best sound/performance of the First Concept
edition of Carragan; Eschenbach on Koch for the Haas edition (NB:  as the
producer, I'm prejudiced in favor of this one)

>4.  Celibidache/Munich PO

Karajan/BPO on EMI (not the DG!), Walter on Sony; or Sieghart on Camerata

>5.  Welser Most/LPO = Furtwangler/BPO (1942)

Konwitschney on Berlin Classics or Eichhorn on Camerata

>6.  Tinter/NZSO (despite the playing) Furtwangler/BPO (1942 again)

Eichhorn on Camerata or Klemperer on EMI

>7.  Knappertsbusch/VPO (1949).  No contest

No contest? I question any mono recording of a Bruckner symphony as a first
choice.

Karajan/BPO on EMI (not DG!) or Eichhorn on Camerata

>8.  Wand/NDRSO (1987 live Lubeck Cathedral) Horentsein/LSO

For the First Version, Tintner on Naxos (coupled with Die Nullte).  For
Haas, Karajan/VPO on DG; For Nowak/II Giulini/VPO on DG

>9.  Giulini/VPO (1989)

Giulini is very good indeed.  But my first choice would be Eichhorn on
Camerata, for fabulous sound and performance, plus the Samale, Mazzuca,
Philips and Cohrs performing edition of the Finale.

Both Eichhorn and Giulini emphasize the s-l-o-w, rhapsodic and otherworldly
aspect of the Ninth, which I like but some may not.  For a complete
contrast, Sturm und Drang Bruckner at his best in the Ninth, try the single
disc issue of Jochum/SD on EMI.

John M. Proffitt
General Manager & C.E.O.
Radio Station KUHF-FM