Bruckner: 9 Symphonies [Box Set] [Box set, Import]

Anton Bruckner (Composer), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
• Composer: Anton Bruckner
• Audio CD (November 18, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 9
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Dg Imports
• ASIN: B001DCQI8W
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,995 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #5 in Music > Imports > Classical
  • #17 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Symphonies > General
  • #18 in Music > Classical > Symphonies

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The greatest set of the complete Bruckner symphonies, April 23, 2009

By 

Mogulmeister "mogulmeister" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bruckner: 9 Symphonies [Box Set] (Audio CD)

This is the budget re-release of the greatest set of the complete Bruckner symphonies ever recorded. I paid more than twice this amount when I purchased the set back in the early 1990s, but even at that it has been worth every penny. If you are interested in a complete Bruckner set, do yourself a favor and without hesitation throw this into your shopping cart ASAP.

I have posted an earlier review of the original set, but to summarize, Karajan is the greatest Bruckner conductor of all time, to my ears. I am in total awe of what Karajan achieved with this set, and I can't think of any other recorded legacy that is more important. Every single symphony except for #1 receives a compelling performance, and symphonies 2,4,5,6,7,8, and 9 receive *exceptional* performances (#3 is a fine enough performance, but Karajan uses the highly edited 3rd version, and I prefer the unedited first version in Tintner's exceptional recording). Karajan's interpretations are magnificent and go right to the soul of this deeply moving music (and without disruptive eccentricities). And the playing of the Berlin Philharmonic has to be heard to be believed--the balance, the tone, the beautiful sonorities--it's hard to not think that this represents their finest hour(s), so to speak. The Berlin Philharmonic's playing in this set is the greatest orchestral playing I have ever heard--in any works. What an achievement for Karajan and the orchestra, and what a great gift to all of us, to have this amazing set that goes right to the soul of this deeply moving music.

There are some criticisms of the sound, mostly justified (except for #5 and #9, whose sound I would not touch). The good news is that because the performances are so compelling and the orchestral playing so stunning, not only does your ear quickly adjust, but before long you are never even questioning that the sound is an issue. Would this set have benefited from a remastering? Without doubt. Will the sound as it is prevent you from treasuring these recordings? Absolutely not.

In the end, the final bow must go to the master, Anton Bruckner. It is almost inconceivable to me that any human being could have conceived of, let alone successfully executed, the creative ideas that Bruckner puts forward and then successfully resolves in his symphonies (particularly #2,4,5,7, and 9). Hans-Hubert Schonzeler said it better than anyone ever will: "Bruckner's symphonies are in reality one gigantic arch which start on Earth amidst suffering humanity, travel up to the Heavens to the very throne of grace, and return with a message of peace."

I hope this music provides you comfort, wisdom, beauty, and joy, as it has me.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One stop shopping. If you own no other Bruckner discs, own this box set., May 8, 2011

By 

cmk3001 "classical music kid" (Oregon) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Bruckner: 9 Symphonies [Box Set] (Audio CD)

This is unquestionably one of Karajan's greatest achievements. And it's hard to imagine a better Bruckner cycle than this. I've listened to Bruckner for a long time and own at least 5 recordings of each symphony. Every one of these performances ranks up there with the best (I must single out the performance of the 5th, absolutely THE best I've ever heard!). There is not a weak performance in the box. And you simply will not hear these symphonies played better than here. The Berlin Philharmonic is glorious. Karajan was often accused of producing beauty just for beauty's sake, but here it is always at the service of the music. In these grand, epic works where other conductors can get lost or lose tension in certain areas, Karajan has an incredible ability to comprehend the structure of each movement, keep it flowing, and make each transition from section to section sound effortless and natural. A great term I once heard to describe it was "architectural far-sightedness". Tempo choices throughout strike me as having an ideal balance of energy and grandeur. And the all important Adagios have plenty of time to breathe without ever dragging.

There have been some slightly negative comments about the sound quality. I thought the analog recordings (4-9) were excellent. All the sections of the orchestra were brilliantly caught. I would say some of the big climaxes in the symphonies recorded in early digital (1-3) sound a little harsh and congested, but nothing major enough to detract from the performances. Also, Karajan uses the 1889 version of the 3rd. Though I prefer the 1873 or 1877 versions, it's no big deal.

Whether you know Bruckner well, or you've never heard a note he's written, I give this set my strongest possible recommendation. It's a perfect introduction to this music, and a perfect addition to any Classical library. (And getting this 9 disc set for 40 bucks is just robbery!)

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When Bruckner really isn't Bruckner...for the most part., March 8, 2011

By 

Glen A. Gill (Cincinnati, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bruckner: 9 Symphonies [Box Set] (Audio CD)

I know the title is a little mis-leading. But those that really know Bruckner know exactly what I mean.

Bruckner's symphonies have been hampered by various conductors and musicologists editing these symphonies because of their duration or sometimes just musical taste. Bruckner did not help the situation by creating different versions of the same symphony. I am not going to bore you with a long dissertation on Bruckner's symphonies (I did that in college). What is important to know is that the 2 most famous editions are the Haas and Novak versions. The Haas editions are essentially hybrid versions where he went about to bring together the original versions with the revised ones. His intent was to create a definitive version of each symphony for performance purposes. Classic case in point is the 8th which is largely the revised version with passages from the original edited back in.

The Novak editions, however, restores each symphony and its various versions into their original state; an edition I personally prefer.

What does this mean here? Karajan leans toward Haas for his recordings. Superior recordings they are, BUT (generally speaking...err...writing) they are not the symphonies as Bruckner actually wrote them. Since this was the only edition available to Karajan in his early years, it is understandable why he used them and would continue to do so.

For those who wish to hear Bruckner as he actually wrote his symphonies, one must seek out the sets my Eugen Jochum. He recorded these symphonies a number of times; the Fifth he did about half-a-dozen times (give or take). There are 2 complete versions of the numbered symphonies; a superlative account on DG with the Bavarian Radio and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras from the late-50s to the 60s and a 2nd on EMI with the Dresden Staatkapelle. Check-out the reviews on Amazon for these recordings.

From a purely technical standpoint, none of the sets above are of his complete symphonies. Bruckner wrote 2 others; the "Study" (#00) symphony and the Symphony #0 "Die Nullte". Both are generally consider curiosities and not found in any of the major sets of complete symphonies. I recently found 3 exceptions for the "Study" Symphony: Inbal/Frankfurt RSO on Teldec; Skrowaczewski/Saarbrucken RSO on Arte Nova; and Tintner (1917-1999)/Royal Scottish NO on Naxos. There are 4 recordings of the "Die Nullte" that I am aware of; the Skrowaczewski and Tintner mentioned before plus Haitink/Concertgebouw on Philips and Barenboim/Chicago SO on DG. The Haitink and Barenboim are, also, complete sets and are generally available individually. I would opt for the single disc of the Study and Nullte and go with Jochum (or, if you prefer, Karajan) for the rest.

All current recordings of the 8th Symphony are of the revised or the Haas revised version. There are two exceptions. Inbal and Tintner made the only recordings of the original version of the 8th. That version is longer and has definite textual differences. This version is not as successful as the revised version, but it is a fascinating look at what was Bruckner's original vision.

For those that are not particular about which version to listen to, you cannot beat this set. The performances are spectacular and virtually unrivalled.