Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies | Anton Bruckner, Eugen Jochum, ...

Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies | Anton Bruckner, Eugen Jochum, ... | The most consistent Bruckner symphony cycle

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Bruckner: The Comp...

	Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies Anton Bruckner, Eugen Jochum, ... EMI Classics, 2000 average customer review:based on 23 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Here's a welcome box of all Bruckner's numbered symphonies led by a distinguished specialist renowned during his lifetime for his identification with the composer. Neatly laid out with each symphony on a disc of its own (no annoying midsymphony changeovers) and in top-quality late-1970s sound, this is an irresistible bargain for such superb performances. Jochum's Bruckner was spontaneous-sounding, with generally swift tempos tempered by flexible rhythms and slow movements that squeeze all the juice from this heartfelt music. The Dresden orchestra is a marvelous instrument for these works, with a beefy, warm sound and brass players that can whip up the excitement in the grand climaxes. Individual conductors, whether vintage greats like Furtwängler or more recent Brucknerians such as Wand on RCA and Tintner on Naxos, may equal or better Jochum in individual works, but taken as a complete traversal of these massive scores, Jochum's is second to none. --Dan Davis

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Like Hearing Bruckner for the First Time

I have listened to Bruckner for more years than I'd care to admit, but these recordings by Eugen Jochum are like hearing him for the first time. It is startling how good these recordings are, and what freshness Jochum brings to the more familiar Bruckner offerings...the 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th and 9th. Electrifying is not too strong a word to describe them. In addition, these EMI recordings are an astonishing value. Buy and listen for yourself. I dare you not to be transfigured by the music-making.

The most consistent Bruckner symphony cycle

Bruckner fans can find other recordings of certain symphonies that might reveal some aspect of the music that this set does not. But I think those recordings are far and few. I know there are Jochum fans (and I am one)who find his DG recordings to be superior. Except for the Fourth with the Berlin Philharmonic I have not listened to any of them.So they may be better. But it is a little hard for me to conceive of that being the case because I have found that Jochum has pulled off something nearly miraculous here.I first bought this set back in the very early Nineties when it first was released on CD. I was swept up in the sheer passion,exuburance and religous devotion that is on display. Like other reviewers I think a lot of the credit goes to Staatskapelle Dresden.I find them so involved with Bruckner's music and the thought world he inhabited that any point of criticism would be nearly useless. "The petty cavils of petty minds",as Samuel Johnson said of some of Shakespeare's critics.Yes this will be a set I could live with for some time( I already have!) And I would still recomend getting this remastered version because it is superior to the first version and the box takes up far less room. I don't have the same problem that some people have with the Nowak versions. I do prefer the 1877 version of the 3rd symphony to be superior to Nowak's. But I find Georg Tintner's recording on Naxos to be interesting but it is too ungainly and sprawling. So I would prefer the Nowak,though I don't care for some of the cuts. But even if you have reservations about versions I would still urge you to check out Jochum. I think he will convince you.Enjoy!

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Definitive

This box set a must-have. Actually, Eugen Jochum recorded all Bruckner twice. First one with Berliner Philharmoniker for Deutsche Grammophon at 60's, the second is that one with Staatskapelle Dresden for EMI, 70's. Well, it's a little complicated to choose one, because both of them have different qualities. But, I suppose, that Dresden version is more transparent, dramatic and intensive than Berliner version.

Eugen Jochum is a master on the music of Bruckner. His reading way is totally opposite of Celibidache. Celibidache has the majesty, the sustaining of time in the manner of Zen On the other hand, Jochum has spontaneity, dramatic intensity. You will not bore in any little moment when you're listening Jochum's Bruckner. The Staatskapelle Dresden sound is so precise, clear in every minimal detail, you can hear all the counterpointal subjects and parts, very deep and satisfying bass sound, touching strings (just check the Adagio of 9th) and glorious brass section (check the complete 7th).

The most interesting points that I shall say are: the 4th is really very interesting, I haven't listen any version just like that, it is not similar to any reading. One hour long that symphony moving on just like a few minutes. Especially the last movement has an enigmatique intensity. The 7th is one of the best available. The majesty of the firs movement, the solemn and desolate Adagio which is written for death of Wagner, the Shcerzo which will make your tension up and again, a majestic mood, Finale.

The 9th! I think, this is the best ever! How Jochum make that music such dramatic, you can imagine a master composer now near to death and hardly working on finish his last symphony... The string tremolos at the very beggining sounds like nothingness. And then 8 horns coming just like the meaning of life. The sarcastic and devilish Scherzo, may be the best Scherzo of all Bruckner. And "farewell" Adagio, begins with full singing-strings, and time is now sustaining, there is nothing going on,just the end of everything and waiting for the last breath. And there is a huge climax includes a dissonant chord, just like the dissonant chord of Mahler 10th. But then, fade away...

If you're searching for a really defenitive Bruckner performances, you should get that. Highly recommended.

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BRUCKNER!

Bruckner è sempre stato il compositore che mi affascinava di più sebbene
fino a poco tempo fà avessi sentito solamente la nona sinfonia all'interno di una raccolta della Reference Recordings. Ho successivamente comprato la nona appunto (RR) e la sesta che ho trovato ad un prezzo stracciato (Edizioni Telarc diretta da Jesus Lopez-Cobos). Se la nona della RR è veramente superba sia dal punto di vista dell'esecuzione che dell'incisione la sesta della Telarc è sicuramente superiore in quanto dinamica rispetto l'incisione che stiamo analizzando della EMI ma la qualità della ripresa e l'esecuzione sono assolutamente sotto tono!
Devo riconfermare ciò che ho letto più volte su Eugin Jochum e la sua maestria nel riprodurre il messaggio musicale di Bruckner.
Sono rimasto veramente stupito dalla qualità generale dell'incisione EMI anche considerando il prezzo a dire poco incredibile, in Italia penso sia impossibile trovare un cofanetto di nove sinfonie di questo valore musicale ed artistico ad un simile prezzo. Assolutamente consigliatissimo!

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Still and Always the GOLD STANDARD!

The words of praise I have about this set are innumerable. It was my first Bruckner cycle...I grew up with it. It accompanied me in all my times...and it changed my life.

Jochum completely understands Bruckner, and his love for him shines out of every Symphony in this incredible set.

Here's a few things of why I think Jochum's 2nd set surpasses all others:

1) His answering to Bruckner's many spiritual questions.
2) His searching and quest like feeling he brings to the music.
3) The meaning, weight and believablility he gives to Bruckner's vision.
4) The consistency of dedication throughout all of the symphonies.
5) The recorded sound is warm, clear and sumptuous.
6) The orchestral playing shines splendorously throughout.
7) It seems from the magic aura these recordings have, that it wasn't just Jochum who loved Bruckner but also the players, the engineers and even the producers who all worked on this production.

I set this bar above Karajan's recording, Celibidache's, Haitink's, Masur's, Chailly's, Wand's, Eichhorn's, Skrowaczewski's, Furtwangler's, Knappertsbush's, and also Jochum's first set.

A MUST in all households!

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