Customer Reviews

Bruckner: Symphony No. 2 (1872 ver., ed. Carragan)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

BRUCKNER's 2nd SYMPHONY

PERFORMANCE: 9 out of 10. RECORDING: 9 out of 10.

THE VERSIONS OF THE 2nd SYMPHONY:

There are 5 versions of this symphony. The first modern edition (by Robert Haas) is a composite of the 1877 version with elements of the 1872 version added. The second modern edition (by Leopold Nowak) apparently only indicates where the 1877 cuts should go and retains an error in the trumpet parts at the end of the first movement. (Often, conductors using the Nowak edition ignore many, if not all, of the cuts.) Since then, William Carragan edited the various versions of the 2nd and his editions supersede those of Haas and Nowak.

Tintner presents us with the original 1872 version (by Carragan). Many of the changes in the later versions involve rewrites, cuts and reorchestrations. Without going into a full discussion of all the changes, it should be said that the 1872 version is superior to the others because:

a) The scherzo comes second as break between the lyrical first movement and the slow movement;

b) The original horn ending of the slow movement is magical compared to the clarinet of later versions; &

c) There are no cuts.

It is true, there is a minor problem of orchestral balance at the very end of the finale, but Tintner overcomes that as well.

SUMMARY:

This CD lives up to the high standards that Dr. Tintner and Naxos have set. I hope that it will discourage the use of the later versions of this symphony. I heartily recommend the entire series to all those who are unfamiliar with the composer and to comparative "Brucknerheads".

Although not a new release, and so less likely to be of help to potential buyers of the disc, I nevertheless feel the need to rave about this performance since a classical journal failed to even mention the Naxos/Tintner recording while recommending only the Eichorn in a Bruckner symphony overview.

Tintner's & Eichorn's are the only two (that I can find) that use the Carragan 1872 original version, but Tintner gets so much detail out of his Irish orchestra compared to Eichorn's. I'm in the extreme minority in having the 2nd as my favorite of Bruckner (I also think his Missa Solemnis and Requiem are better than the 3 famous Masses), so I'm probably more likely to notice small differences with this than the other symphonies. I listen to it far more often, and though I can respect another opinion's praise of the Linz orchestra of Eichorn, the Tintner is too beautiful to be passed over. Some like Karajan's Berlin recording from the late '70s or '80s, and some favor Giulini's Vienna disc. They're also worthwhile, but I hear more and experience it more acutely with the late Tintner. Sorry to see this wonderful recording passed over without an honorable mention. Definitely desert island stuff.

This is actually the second recording of the Carragan Edition of Bruckner's Symphony No.2. Eichorn and the Linz Bruckner Orchestra offer this edition in two different releases. One, a two-disc set, also includes the 1873 revision of 1872. In 1873 the scherzo was moved to the more familiar third movement position. The other touches are too subtle to note, and I'm not sure anyone but a Bruckner scholar could spot the changes.

The Eichorn recording was also released coupled with rehearsal sessions (of 1872) on a second disc. Either way, Eichorn and his orchestra are equal to the challenge Tintner offers -- but Tintner on Naxos has a decided advantage in price. If you already own one of the Eichorn versions there is no reason to replace it. For those first coming to this version of the Bruckner Second, choose Tinter without a moment's reservation... !

This is the first time i've heard Bruckner 2 and this performance simply forces you to listen from the very outset.Bruckner can be tricky to grasp on first hearing but in Tintner's performance the argument is wonderfully lucid while not glossing over the rough hewn quality which is part of the essence of Bruckner.Orchestral playing is not up to the standards of Berlin(Karajan) or Dresden (Jochum)but this isn't a paramount issue.I can't imagine a more persuasive recording of Bruckner 2.

To give a good reading and interpretation of this particulary tempo balace work and specially in this magnificent Carragan version its obvious that Tintner went still far adding spiritual quality to this recording. Its notorious the level of the details and accents that Tintner /Ireland NSO give us, reviews in BBc and Gramophone magazines confirm such appraising. For me I woud like the crystaline clarity and spaciousness of Haitink /Abbey road recordings, but still this warm bronze sound recording will be condidered as a classic for the future.

Unless I am wrong, this is the first recording of William Carragan's edition, which is supposed to reflect Brucker's first thoughts on the piece. What we have is a 70 minute symphony on a grand scale, like the Chailly recording,only more complete. Tintner's performance is a winning one, and at budget price! The Irish orchestra sounds impressive, and the sound is very good.A sound bargain which augurs well for the rest of Tintner's cycle.

It's not easy for me to make a ranking of any kind for Bruckner's early symphonies, becuase I love them so much. My main focus with Bruckner's symphonies in recent times has been his symphonies Nos.00-6. All are spectacular in their own way, and No.3 is a force to be reckoned with. Nos.4 and 5 need no advocacy from me, since they are well-known already. But the Symphony No.2 is surely left behind when rankings of Bruckner's symphonies appear.

In Michael Steinberg's book "The Symphony" he includes all the symphonies from No.4 onwards. A good argument might convince him that Nos. 2 and 3 also belonged in his otherwise excellent book. With the Second Symphony it's not just a matter of having Brucknerized-Schubert (as with the Sym. No.00). This symphony is a titan. The melodic material is far above average, the material is cohesive---even more cohesive than No.8---and the tunes are even more memorable than in many of his other symphonies.

It is also my opinion that the early symphonies of Bruckner, and this one in particular, have the advantage of having more interesting and exhilarting Finales than the more famous symphonies. This isn't just an underrated symphony that you might kinda-sorta like; It's a masterpiece that commands your attention.

I am very happy with my purchase of the Bruckner 2nd performed by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and conducted by Georg Tintner on the Naxos label. It is my favorite after the 8th and the 4th. The reason is that this 2nd is consistently good throughout, there are no moments where you think a section could have been composed (or performed) better. In fact, if anything, this 2nd is a bit understated, with hidden gems of passages in each movement. Bravo! Buy it; you won't be disappointed.

Those who know this symphony from the standard Nowak edition is in for a surprise. In this Carragan version the symphony becomes rather more monumental (if perhaps a little sectional) and far more epic - I am wont to say that this version is, so far, the best of them. In fact, the stylistic connections to the latter symphonies are now more obvious than ever, especially in the slow movement. It does, of course, not quite stand up to Bruckner's later masterpieces even so, but it is an impressive and extremely worthwhile work and in performances as sympathetic as these bound to make a lasting impression.

Georg Tintner gives us a very impressive reading with an unfailing ability to shape the various structural blocks and provide true romantic splendor and grandeur (the first movement is particularly impressively done), and the National Symphony of Ireland provides truly exceptional playing, passionate and powerful. Listen, for example, to the almost Beethoven-like pastoralism of the Scherzo's trio, or the unerringly noble sound of the finale. Good notes and splendid sound quality as well. Thoroughly recommended.

It is amazing that the complete 1872 original version of this symphony, which Tintner conducts, was not published until 1991! When I first heard this disc years ago, my first reaction was that it was very strange. I had grown up with Haitink's LP of one of the revised versions, which in fact was my favorite Bruckner recording. On listening to Tintner's rendition over and over again, I now find that the original version is the essential way to hear this work. It includes over ten minutes of music excised from the commoner version. I just feel that the thematic material needs time to expand that this version allows. When I hear, say, Karajan's recording, I just feel that the cuts make things run into one another without the symphonic logic of the 1872 version. Also, the slow movement really belongs third, as in 1872, just as the slow movemment of the Eighth Symphony comes third. As for the performance, the Irish orchestra may not have the fullness of the great Continental orchestras, but they play with lovely tone and fine ensemble, and are beautifully recorded. Tintner's interpretation provides a touchstone for this work that is unlikely to be surpassed for some time. This is my favorite CD of my favorite Bruckner Symphony.