Thread: Bruckner Symphonies...What am I missing?

I've tried listening to Bruckner's symphonies (4th, 5th, 7th, 8th and 9th), but I get bored with them. I know that some find them deeply spiritual, moving, etc. Not me. They have some nice movements, but as a whole the symphonies that I've listened to didn't keep my interest all the way through.

I know I'm not the only person who feels this way, but I still wonder if I'm missing something since there are so many people who love Bruckner's symphonies. Should I consider my lack of interest in his symphonies a matter of personal taste, or keep trying and hope that I too will grow to love his symphonies?

Hours and hours of music and not much interest if you ask me, although I did like bruckner 4 a few years ago. Haven't heard it for a while though.

Good luck getting into them though - I'm sure there are people who can appreciate them, but I just haven't got there yet! Maybe you're right, maybe it is just personal taste.

Bruckner is a little like a religion... to the newcomer, it can be unbelieveable, huge, frightening, awe-inspiring, confusing, contradictory, exhalting and all-encompassing all at the same time.

There usually comes a breaking point. Once people have heard the symphonies that you list, they are either won-over to this faith, or they are absolutely sure that it's just not for them. I don't think there's anything wrong for not liking Bruckner, because 80 minute symphonies are simply not for everybody. But people who like Bruckner usually love him in a fanatic way, and take the bad with the good as a total (long winded) package.

Originally Posted by captaintim

Hours and hours of music and not much interest if you ask me. . . .

This is what I suspect my ultimate conclusion will be, although I haven't quite reached that point yet.

Kurkikohtaus,

Your comparison to a religion is interesting. It would certainly explain the level of admiration some have for Bruckner's symphonies, and the way in which they defend his supposed genius.

As for 80 minute symphonies, I do like Mahler's symphonies quite a bit, and they tend to rival Bruckner's in length. Perhaps Mahler's symphonies have somehow hindered my ability to like Bruckner's?

Have you listend to Celibidache conducting Bruckner? To me, Bruckner is the greatest symphonist ever, and in my opinion nobody interprets it better than Celi! But, as best I can tell that is not a widely held opinion. However, those that agree with me do so in a very big way.

Celibidache (Munich) never actually made any commercial recordings, he was opposed to the whole concept (I happen to admire him for that).

There are however archive recordings of his performances with the Munich Philharmonic, and after his death, his wife and son released these recordings, with part of the proceeds going to a children's charity. They were of course all the rage when they were released, I bought a whole bunch of them in the mid-90's, especially Bruckner.

I find them absolutely undigestible. Celibidache had an incredible sense of pace, his tempos are so slow that they are complete and total distortions of the music. BUT, this CAN work in the concert hall for a live performance, if the conductor has a strong enough presence and musical personality, as Celibidache certainly had. It just doesn't translate onto a recording, and Celibidache knew that. That's why he never made any.

Originally Posted by johnnyx

Have you listend to Celibidache conducting Bruckner?

No, I haven't listened to Celebidache. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll keep him in mind, but considering the price for most of his Bruckner CDs, I'll see if I can find a bargain first.

I've heard only two of his symphonies, nos. 4 and 5. I must say that:

The 4th and especially 9th symphonies scherzos are unbelievable.
The first movement of the 9th is something I expect will be heard as herald music before the end of the world.

lol ... something doesn't line up in your post, Lisztfreak...

Do you mean the 9th or the 5th? Although the 9th is certainly a monument (too bad about the missing finale), I really, really like the 5th with its (super)natural use of counterpoint, but without the intellectual stigma that usually comes with that type of writing (as in Brahms).

Well yes, I meant the no.9 - sorry! I sometimes have this little problem with numbers 5 and 9 (well what? they're quite alike!). So I don't know about the 5th. You did intrigue me now... I'll try to find some money for that CD.

I listened to Bruckner at a live concert ... once ... fell asleep ... I don't remember which symphony it was, but it was awfully boring ... again, roses or fertilizer for some. Just getting into Mahler ... never ventured into him before in my life - but certainly lots more interesting than Bruckner ... lol

Originally Posted by Krummhorn

Just getting into Mahler ... never ventured into him before in my life - but certainly lots more interesting than Bruckner ... lol

Try Mahler Symphonies Nos. 2, 5 and 9.