Bob Draper <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Ralf Oehlmann wrote:
>
>>All of his recordings of the last 5 years were excellent, some even seem to
>>me as the best available (especially Bruckners 4th and 9th with the BPO).
>
>Also, has anyone compared these against his earlier recordings of Bruckners
>symphonies (EMI)? These are amongst the bestof these works around in my
>view.

Wand has performed Bruckner's 7th and 8th with the BPO (in addition to
those that have been released by BMG:  4, 5 and 9).  No.  8 is available
on a Japanese pirate label, perhaps it will be released more widely.

Wand's earlier Bruckner with Cologne and with the NDR Orchestra of Hamburg
is generally more straightforward (particularly the early recordings with
Cologne) than what he's given us with the BPO.  His latest recordings have
more weight and show superb playing from the BPO.  This, of course, does
not mean that the early recordings are 'lightweight' (indeed, his series
with the NDR Orchestra recorded at Luebeck Cathedral are among the most
awesome Bruckner to be had).  It has been fascinating to observe his
interpretative progression in Bruckner's symphonies through the years.

Ramon Khalona
Carlsbad, California