Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 in A (Nowak ed.) / Wolf: 4 Goethe-Lieder

Matthias Goerne (Artist), Anton Bruckner (Composer), Hugo Wolf (Composer), Riccardo Chailly (Conductor), Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
• Conductor: Riccardo Chailly
• Composer: Anton Bruckner, Hugo Wolf
• Audio CD (June 15, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00000J9FT
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #436,966 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Harfenspieler-Lieder: I. Wer sich der Einsamkeit ergibt

2. Harfenspieler-Lieder: II. An die Turen will ich schleichen

3. Harfenspieler-Lieder: III. Wer nie sein Brot mit tranen ass

4. Anakreons Grab

5. Symphony No.6 In A Major: I. Maestoso

6. Symphony No.6 In A Major: II. Adagio: Sehr feierlich

7. Symphony No.6 In A Major: III. Scherzo: Nicht schnell - Trio: Langsam

8. Symphony No.6 In A Major: IV. Finale: Bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine Bruckner, even finer Wolf, April 19, 2002

By 

Bruce Hodges (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 in A (Nowak ed.) / Wolf: 4 Goethe-Lieder (Audio CD)

The primary appeal of this disc for me was the Bruckner, one of his more underrated symphonies. I already own an outstanding version by Wolfgang Sawallisch on Orfeo, but was not about to miss this one, which turns out to be an excellent performance.

Chailly's way with Bruckner, like his Mahler, emphasizes the inner voicing. For me it works, but clearly it may not for all Brucknerites (many of whom hold very strong opinions!). If there are more moments here that feel "wandering" it is probably the fault of the score, not Chailly's interpretation. Nevertheless, the quality of the orchestral playing, and many fine passages throughout, make it worth hearing.

The real discovery were the Wolf songs, gorgeously sung by Matthias Goerne. If you like the Straussian long line, these beautifully orchestrated gems will probably appeal to you. This was also my introduction to Mr. Goerne, a formidable singer indeed.

Since most recordings of the Bruckner Sixth have no couplings, this one gets a strong vote for including these compelling Wolf pieces.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sorry, this one is bad., March 20, 2000

By 

Andy Schuller (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 in A (Nowak ed.) / Wolf: 4 Goethe-Lieder (Audio CD)

Chailly lacks the imagination and the conviction to tackle this symphony. I have never been so turned off by a performance of any Bruckner symphony until I heard this one. Chailly, as pointed out by one of the persons who reviewed it (Chew), disregarded many markings by Bruckner, and those who know this symphony intimately have to fight hard to overlook these errors, and that takes away all the pleasure of listening. I like to listen with scores opened in front of me, and take notes. My score is now full of red circles highlighting all the errors Chailly has made in this renditon. There are moments when Chailly speeds up while the instruction in the score clearly says "slow down siginificantly". I was tickled by the polite way the official review describe this problem. Bottomline: the whole 1st movement is rushed, very rushed. The second movement, which is one of the beautiful movements Bruckner has ever written, is very dry, and completely uninspiring under Chailly's direction, and he clearly has a very vague idea of where the symphony is heading when it comes to 3rd and the 4th movements. And he leaves me completely lost at the end.

I am normally quite fond of Chailly's performances, but this one really crosses the line. Perhaps I dislike this recording for different reasons than Chew. My Bruckner does not have to be completely spiritual, but Geeez, the musicians have to at least execute the musical instructions right. I bought a Bruckner 6th, and I ended up getting a Chailly 6th.

I cannot comment on the Hugo Wolf lieder for this is the only version I have.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To the nay-sayers : This one is excellent !, December 6, 2000

By 

Constantijn Blondel (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 in A (Nowak ed.) / Wolf: 4 Goethe-Lieder (Audio CD)

This one is for the nay-sayers. I read your discussion with interest and I must say I obviously disagree with the criticism. The point is, what do you ask from Bruckner. Do you want to silence your conscience for not going to church by engulfing yourself in the so-called religious depths of Bruckner. Or do you want to be enlightened by Bruckner's sublime manipulation of tonal colours and orchestral textures and large architecture. I myself am a convinced atheist. Yet I find immense pleasure in Bruckners opus. On the other hand I'm incredibly bored by the Klemps, Jochums, Celibedaches et. al. Not because they are not quick enough, but because imo they fail to see that Bruckner above all is MUSIC and not a holy mass. I've had a similar discussion about Wagner's Gotterdammerung, which imo is also ruined by the hordes of conductors who just want to grail-resonate in act I and III and rush through all the drama that's in the story. Now back to this Chailly recording : I live in Amsterdam, a few minutes bicycle ride from the Concertgebouw. I have not been able to see this 6th, but I've had the pleasure of hearing Maestro Chailly conduct the 8th with the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Personally I can't see anything wrong with it.....except that he doesn't conduct it like Klemp et. al. But this is just a matter of taste ! It's the same as those m%r(ns who blast away every Wotan who doesn't sing the role like Hans Hotter or every conductor who doesn't conduct Wagner like Furtwangler. This sixth shines in all it's glory (aided by the fantastic recording we've come to expect from Andrew Cornall) and I can't find anything un-Brucknerian about it. The structure is very clear but at the same time Chailly leaves all room for melodic beauty and for Bruckner's harmonic magic. Most of all this is one of those conductors who clears Bruckner of the image of "sound cathedrals" by perfectly outlining every contrapunctal line in the score and yet keep the whole perfectly integrated. Granted if you're stuck on one vision of Bruckner you're bound to hate this recording, but on the other hand if you love Bruckner's music qua music (as opposed to qua spiritual meaning) I can't imagine someone to dislike this recording. I don't think that Chailly goes for effectiveness, since I know him to be a very conscientious conductor whose integrity towards the music is beyond doubt. In the line of great Brucknerians, which for me consits of Haitink, Wand and very maybe Celibedache Chailly holds for me a fully justified place. Happy listening to whomever cares to explore this Bruckner miracle !