Customer Reviews

Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies (00-9)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I recently reviewed the EMI "soft box" reissue of Jochum's Dresden recordings of the nine Bruckner symphonies as a first rate bargain, and here's another! Tintner was a superb Bruckner conductor, trained (by Felix Weingartner) in Vienna in the 1930s. After fleeing the Nazis, Tintner took up various conducting assignments in Australia and New Zealand, opting out of a more glamorous career in the major international music centers. He eventually ended up in Canada where he died in 1999, well-respected if relatively unknown (but with a growing reputation as a Bruckner interpreter). Naxos had the brilliant idea of commissioning him to record their Bruckner cycle and the results are very impressive.

Tintner's performances are completely idiomatic and convincing, but what really sets this recording apart are his choices about what versions of the symphonies to perform. Bruckner's symphonies exist in multiple versions made by the composer himself. In addition, these versions appear in different editions prepared by various editors, the most prominent being Robert Haas and Leopold Nowak. The first thing a conductor who performs Bruckner must do is choose among versions and editions. Yes, it's very complicated! So, when considering whether to buy this wonderful set, think about these three factors. First, whereas Eugen Jochum, for example, recorded the standard nine symphonies in the Nowak editions, Tintner also gives us the early symphonies (nos. "0" and "00") making a total of 11 completely authentic Bruckner symphonies. (Although clearly early works, symphonies "0" and "00" are substantial and enjoyable compositions that should be heard.) Second, and again unlike Jochum, Tintner regularly performs the Haas editions rather than Nowak.
Third, and most important, instead of recording what have become the standard Bruckner versions of symphonies 2, 3, and 8, Tintner went back to Bruckner's earliest versions [II/1872, ed. Carragan; III/1873, ed. Nowak; and VIII/1888-89, ed. Nowak]. These versions are substantially different from the versions most conductors play (II/1876; III/1877 or 1889; VIII/1890).

My personal opinion? I can't say I prefer Tintner's choices over other versions, but I don't need to exclude one or the other. Tintner is a very persuasive advocate for the earlier (and significantly more expansive) versions and I wouldn't want to be without his recordings. Moreover, Naxos provides generally excellent digital engineering for the three orchestras that perform in this fascinating set. (The lion's share of performances come from the excellent Royal Scottish National Orchestra.) All of this thought-provoking excellence is presented in a slim and elegant, white "soft box" format which includes a substantial booklet with full notes (by the conductor). To sum up, this set is more a complement than a rival to other versions. But it need fear competition from no other set, and the performances of the more famous Bruckner symphonies (4, 5, 6, 7 & 9, all performed in the standard versions) are among the best currently available. If you need any other reason to buy this magnificent recording, just look at the price!

I bought this set mainly out of curiosity. I had become familiar with the first versions of the Third and Eighth Symphonies in the Inbal renditions, but had never heard those of the First and Second. Well, from the very first hearing, I was dumbstruck by this set. Not only do Tintner's versions of the Third and Eighth surpass Inbal's in spaciousness and tension, but the other symphonies at the very least equal the very best competing performances; Tintner's Ninth is the only modern version that in my estimation equals the classic Furtwaengler recording.
I have seen some reviewers disparage the first version of the Eighth Symphony. I do not understand this at all. To me, this very first version of the Symphony is far more dramatic and turbulent than the rather smoothed out revision, even in the Haas score (the Nowak is a failure, as far as I'm concerned, in endorsing the cuts in the Adagio and Finale that ruin Bruckner's superb transitions). Bruckner's origingal thoughts in almost all cases (except the Fourth) show him as a far more inventive and bolder composer than do his own revisions.
I am also happy that Tintner chose to include the Symphonies "0" and "00". I have long enjoyed "0", but I find the "Schulsymphonie" rather conventional and uninteresting.
At any rate, here is a Bruckner set in superb sound that can stand as the standard recommendation. And at Naxos' prices, who can resist?

No Brucknerian will want to be without this wonderful cycle.
Tintner, a very established Brucknerian of the Gunter Wand mold, handles these symphonies with the skill that only a true veteran can.
His vigorous, instinctly authoritative and evocative approach is apparent from the outset.
And at budget price, you just can not go wrong.

This is a great set of Bruckner symphonies by one of the finest conductors of Bruckner, nicely packaged, and at a bargain price. This set includes alternative movements for Symphonies 3 and 4, the study symphony, and Symphony 00. Tintner generally prefers Bruckner's first versions of these tremendous works so if you have either of the Jochum sets pick up this one as well.

I purchased these symphonies when they were issued individually and have constantly enjoyed Tintner's insights and the sheer authority of his readings. Although the conductor uses a variety of orchestras, his vision is imparted to whatever band he is conducting and the engineering and acoustics of all the venues are exemplary.

It is unfortunate that Georg Tintner committed suicide because of a particularly nasty form of cancer and we are denied his insights into the symphonic cycles of Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, Haydn, etc.

There is being issued in Canada a "Georg Tintner Commemorative Edition" and having listened to some of the offerings, his death was a great loss to the world of music and musicology - he wrote his own liner notes to the Bruckner cycle.

I highly recommend this set to any Brucknerite as it measures up to and sometimes exceeds the offerings of Jochum - and even von Karajan (no mean feat, indeed!)

Timothy Wingate, Ottawa CANADA

I have heard Jochum's and Karajan's recordings of Bruckner and Tintner grasp of this material equals theirs. The Irish and Scotish orchestras he uses are fully up to the task and the Naxos engineers did a great job getting this on disk just before Tinter's death. Even if you have other sets this one is worth having because of the rarely performed editions he uses of the second, third and eighth symphonies. Tinter's commentary in the accompanying booklet is informative and entertaining. The inclusion of the 0 and 00 symphonies is a great bonus.

Tintner's is a glorious cycle.There's a warm glow to these readings which is ultimately awe inspiring.The early symphonies are a particular triumph partly on account of the editions he opts for but also some spectacularly successful slow tempos(3rd symphony,ist movement)
Can't understand the reviewer below (Jeffrey Lipscomb)
who describes the performances as sincere but pedestrian.This is most definitely NOT the case!

I purchased this box set after having heard only the 7th,4th, and 9th symphonies, and each performed by different conductors. Therefore I was very new to Bruckner and hardly understood his symphonies, however I knew there was something special about his music. So I decided to get a Box set since I was resolved on hearing all of Bruckner's symphonies. I decided on this one largely from the good reviews and the fact that it contained 11 symphonies. Now that I consider myself a Brucknerite and have heard other conductors versions of many of these symphonies in NO way do I regret buying this box set. Although it is not perfect, the 9th,5th,7th,and 4th being in mind; the other symphonies are superb. But even this is not the main reason one should hear this set. I value these performances because they represent in mnay cases Bruckner's original versions. I am thinking mostly about the 3rd and 8th when I say I am very glad I heard these symphonies first before any other versions. It is quite evident that Tintner really loved Bruckner's music and wished to convey that sentiment to the world. Although this set cannot be considered the definitive Bruckner recordings (the 3rd and 8th come awfully close) I would warmly recommend it to anyone new to Bruckner, or anyone wishing to hear the Master's original ideas.

I consider myself an expert on Bruckner, having at least three performances of each symphony on disk and in some cases (the 8th and 9th) considerably more than that. I've heard all of the "versions" (editions) of the symphonies, more than once, and have pretty strong opinions. For instance, I think the Haas versions of the 2nd and 8th are greatly to be preferred to earlier or later editions, although (except in the case of the 4th and 8th symphonies) first editions (even including that of the problematic 3rd) are to be preferred.
Having said that, I've listened to Tintner a lot, and find that all of his recordings are completely committed, and far more convincing that most others on the market (see: Barenboim, for example). I also like his choice of editions, with the exception of the Eighth, although even there, his choice of the inferior first version is justifiable on the grounds that in most cases, Bruckner's first thoughts were his best.
I totally disagree with the negative reviews appearing above. The recording of the Third, for example, is amazing. Even though there are problems with the first edition of this work (which Tintner chooses to record) this recording is so convincing it makes me unsure whether I don't prefer it to the second edition of 1877, which has certain undeniable improvements. The broad sweep of the opening movement in the original 1872/3 version is quite compelling, and after hearing it once or twice, it's hard to go back to the truncated later versions. The same is true of the first versions of the 1st and 2nd symphonies.
That said, I have to conclude that Bruckner's revision of the 8th represented an improvement, particularly at the end of the opening movement, and at the climax of the slow movement. Nevertheless, this symphony is very problematic, since Bruckner cut out too much in making his revision. For that reason, the Haas edition has to be preferred, since it includes portions of the original version in the context of the revision. (The same goes for the Haas edition of the 2nd, which does the same thing.)
All in all, for anyone really interested in Bruckner, I would recommend purchasing this edition (in preference in Inbal, who does the vastly inferior original edition of the 4th). But it should be supplemented with another set, probably the Jochum or the Van Karajan, both of which use later edition/versions, but are more polished and in the end somewhat more satisfying over all. Jochum I prefer, although he unfortunately uses the Novak second edition of the 8th, while van Karajan uses the better Haas. But even so, Jochum's 8th is, in my humble opinion, the best overall interpretation. The same goes for all the other symphonies. Downside: neither van Karajan nor Jochum include the 00 or the 0, which are indispensable. And that's another reason to buy this Tintner set.
In conclusion: Bruckner is a problem composer, if only because of the problem of the differing versions. If you fall in love with him, as I have, you will simply shell out the money to buy several sets.

I hesitated before posting a review because I have not listened to the set in its entirety and may revise it in due course. Having played the 00, 4, 5, 7, and 8, at this point I cannot recommend it in preference to any other full set in modern stereo. It no longer has a price advantage compared to either of the Jochum sets, the Philips Haitink, or the most recent reissue (at this time) of the Karajan set as part of his Symphony edition. The latter set can be obtained in the low $30 range which makes it unbeatable value. My personal favourite thus far is the first Jochum set. While it is very interesting to listen to the original versions of these works, and I agree with some of the late conductor's opinions, I think the fairest comparison of this set is against the Eliahu Inbal cycle with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, and personally I prefer the latter in terms of its orchestral playing, recording quality and interpretation. At the moment, the Naxos set offers a price advantage over the Inbal. The Naxos documentation, by the conductor, is very well done. This may seem like a minor detail, but I do not much care for the lilac colored CDs themselves, they actually look rather cheap.

The orchestras in the Naxos set do have at least adequate brass sonority for this music, as I found out when playing the 5th. Where I feel there is a lack of weight and richness is in the strings.

While I commend Naxos for its desire to release an absolutely complete set of symphonies, I did not find the 00 particularly interesting or memorable and have no intention of hearing it again any time in the near future. The Volksfest alternate finale to the No. 4 was however very good. I would recommend against purchasing this set for the sake of completeness alone, since the performances of the earliest symphonies are available separately - the Nullte No. 0 coupled with the 8th. (For those who have complained about Tintner's 8th running into the 90 minute range, the first and third movements have more music in this version than what many are accustomed to hearing. It is not a slow reading. I like this performance.)

This set remains in my view a fairly good purchase for the original versions - and I would encourage every lover of Bruckner to hear them - but do not wish to pay a higher price for the Inbal set.