Thread: I've begun a journey through Bruckner's Symphonies!

I long suspected that I would love Bruckner's symphonies when I finally get around to familiarizing myself with them, and that time has finally come. I've listened to the 1st and 2nd symphonies about six times each in the last five days, as well as one listening of the 3rd symphony.

I know that his later symphonies are way better than the earlier ones, but I'm going in order and getting to know the music and the man as I go along. I'm very excited, and am enjoying this a lot! When I read things about certain movements of his later symphonies and how unbelievable they are, it feels like I'm reading a spoiler about a future episode of something that I'm currently only at the beginning of. There's that same sense of excitement and epic scope of the journey still ahead.

Just wanted to share!

No. 4! No. 4! No. 4! Celibidache! Celibidache! Celibidache!

I'm glad that you are both enjoying them and taking them in order - the earlier symphonies are mostly very good and offer some clues and you are right - from the 4th onwards you have a fantastic journey ahead of you. It's really good to read of your anticipation and excitement so don't forget to offer further bulletins as you make your leisurely way through them.

Even though the later symphonies may be "greater" than the first three, I still love them .
I've never been able to understand the neglect of the first symphony, for example . It's the shortest of the 9, and no longer than the thrice familiar Brahms first . The second is the most gentle and intimate of the nine, and more evocative of the rolling plains of the Austrian countryside than mountains or cathedrals ; it's also very underrated .
The so-called "symphony number zero" is also well-worth trying .

Yes, I have been enjoying these first two symphonies very much, which makes me even more excited about what's to come!

Originally Posted by ComposerOfAvantGarde

No. 4! No. 4! No. 4! Celibidache! Celibidache! Celibidache!

All I have at the moment are the recordings with Karajan/Berlin from the Karajan Symphony Edition. Is the Celibidache that much better for No. 4?

I haven't heard Karajan's 4th but Celibidache is probably much slower

Funny.....I am currently just starting to explore Bruckner myself, although I am all over the map and just trying random symphonies. The first thing I heard was the adagio to B8 and I was sold instantly. As a fan of Mahler and Wagner (his more preludes and overtures), Bruckner is a logical choice.

I am also "revisiting" Sibelius and really digging him as well.

The other 'problem' is that I am jonesing to do another complete Shostakovich cycle.......too much amazing music.....not enough time! What a problem to have

Hey, good listening to you! If I were you, I'd save Celibidache for after you're familiar with the more "standard" recordings. The thing about Bruckner is, he can be taken different ways - lighter and Schubertian, as with Herreweghe, or profound, like Jochum or Celibidache. And there are various shades in between. And I hope you'll meet Furtwangler eventually, especially on the 8th.

I started with Tinter's set on Naxos. Of course, it was dirt cheap back then; I don't think it is now. But he doesn't play much with the tempi, just takes the pieces as they're written. After that, I could branch out and see what the other conductors were doing in contrast.

Anyway, that was my journey. But it's still ongoing.

I am taking my Bruckner journey slowly and enjoying all of it. I remember starting with a library copy of the 8th with Haitink/Concertebouw around 1992 and that was sufficient enough to propel me on. My girlfriend (now wife) bought me the 8th shortly thereafter with Gunter Wand and the NDR Sinfonie at Lubeck Cathedral (1990) which is my favorite so far. I have the complete cycle on Naxos with Tintner, which is an excellent "cheap" set done by someone devoted to Bruckner's original visions, and it's great to compare Bruckner's originals next to edited versions.

I really should invest in another complete cycle. I've got random conductors/orchestras on many. The 5th with Barenboim and Berlin is immense, and I am also fond of the 7th with Skrowaczewski/Saarbrucken.

I don't think there's a single Bruckner symphony I don't like, though I feel like I'm still far from knowing all of the nooks and crannies of each one, and I frankly want to keep discovering forever.

Listen to No.3,5,6,7 and listen again!

No.4 isn't bad, No.9 didn't attracted me and I should give No.8 another chance.

Originally Posted by macgeek2005

Yes, I have been enjoying these first two symphonies very much, which makes me even more excited about what's to come!



All I have at the moment are the recordings with Karajan/Berlin from the Karajan Symphony Edition. Is the Celibidache that much better for No. 4?

I found the Celibidache incredibly slow - it must be the slowest in the market. VERY luxurious until the last movement and that seemed to drag. He certainly has his fans and he knows what he's doing and it's definitely worth hearing but I suggest listening to a few to compare - it isn't one of the longer ones (except Celibidache's that lasts almost 1hr 20mins). Karajan is ok, so is Wand. Klemperer is unusual: he takes the work at a fair pace except the scherzo and that he seems to drag out! Inbal does a nice recording with the 1874 version.


Nice though. I also love Bruckner's work and hope you continue to enjoy it.

Originally Posted by Faville

My girlfriend (now wife) bought me the 8th shortly thereafter with Gunter Wand and the NDR Sinfonie at Lubeck Cathedral (1990) which is my favorite so far.

Wow! If she weren't already your wife, I'd suggest she should be!

I've been slowly making my way through them myself. I started with Nos. 9 and 8 (starting with later works is just how I've always begun listening to composers,) and have since heard through the first four.

The eighth is undoubtedly my favorite so far. Instead of just creating music, it creates a world in which the listener can be immersed. The last two movements especially are my favorites, though I feel the first two are completely necessary as well. The symphony has incredible drama, and at the same time, an overall positive aura. Hearing the last movement makes me feel a very peculiar way which no other music has made me feel.

Another notable movement is the Adagio of the 9th...oh man. I relatively dislike the 9th overall, and even this movement is a mixed bag for me. However, there's no denying the incredible tension it builds up through various means, all leading up to...well, I'll let you hear it for yourself. Like it or not, you will not forget the Adagio of the Ninth.

New member here and I'm glad to have found this thread. Been loving Bruckner for a couple years and have several cycles on CD and vinyl. For me #8 is his masterpiece. The later symphonies seem to be the most popular, and maybe I'm in the minority but I feel Symphony #2 is absolutely brilliant as it shows a very different side of the man.

I just discovered that the Seattle Symphony is doing No. 4 in April. I haven't heard one note of it yet, but I know that by April I'll know it inside out, so I'm excited!

By the way, where I'm at now is.. I've listened to the 1st symphony fifteen times, following along with the score on one of those times.

I'm currently in the twelfth listening of the 2nd symphony, and will go through it at least once with the score before capping it off for now at fifteen listenings as well before moving onto the 3rd.

The 3rd I have listened to three times already.. basically preliminary listenings so that the symphony already rings a bell for me when I come to get to know it.