Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 [ENHANCED]

Skrowaczewski:cnd/MinnesotaO (Artist), Anton Bruckner (Composer), Stanislaw Skrowaczewski (Conductor), Minnesota Orchestra (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Orchestra: Minnesota Orchestra
• Conductor: Stanislaw Skrowaczewski
• Composer: Anton Bruckner
• Audio CD (November 4, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Reference Records
• ASIN: B0000015AH
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #259,574 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Stanislaw Skrowaczewski is one of the most versatile and accomplished conductors active today. He's a legend in Minnesota, where he spent a couple of decades making great music with this fine orchestra. Careerwise, he's had two strikes against him: (1) he actively promotes contemporary music (and is an accomplished composer himself), and (2) no one can spell or pronounce his last name (it sounds like "Skrovacheffsky"). So now that that's out of the way, nothing should prevent you from enjoying this outstandingly exciting Bruckner Ninth. This guy really knows his Bruckner, and his performance is quite simply the best played, most spectacularly recorded version available. -- David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

This is a stunning recording of a deeply moving work. Left unfinished by the death of Anton Bruckner, various academics and would-be composers have tried their hands at completing it from Bruckner's sketches; the conductor Stanislaw Skrowaczewski makes a compelling case for performing only the parts that Bruckner wrote and completed himself. Bruckner was a humble man, a professional organist, with a rock-solid Christian faith, and the program notes wimp out by saying that "All his music was written to the greater glory of the beyond," whatever the beyond might be. It was written to the glory of the God whom Bruckner worshipped, and the evidence of his beliefs resounds in this soaring score. This is also a beautifully engineered recording, and a winner in just about every respect. --Sarah Bryan Miller

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bruckner for Modernists, March 3, 2001

By	Scott Spires "scospi" (Prague, Czech Republic) - See all my reviews

Skrowaczewski is a prince among underrated conductors, and hearing him conduct this Matterhorn of a symphony was one of my best concert-going experiences. No recording can replicate the excitement of live music, but you can get pretty close with this disc. This Bruckner 9th isn't plush and nostalgic, but tense, lean and somewhat neurotic. The first two movements are energetic and driven; the haunting final Adagio culminates in an earthquake-like climax that will tear your ears to shreds. A whole world of modern music seems to be struggling, with great anguish, to be born. If you prefer a more orthodox interpretation, Bruno Walter is a perennial favorite; but you won't go wrong with Skrowaczewski, especially if you like a modernistic approach.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music and Sound, June 10, 2000

By	Cheryl ORegan (USA) - See all my reviews

Its rare to have both a recording not only sound great but also have such a superb reading of this piece. Bruckner's ninth is very special and Skrowaczewski and the Minnesota Orch. did not let me down on this. I listen to it often and enjoy it and hear something new each time. Everyone has their own tastes but generally speaking I feel the majority would love this CD. Listen and enjoy.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A huge accomplishment., May 19, 2001

By	cmk "classical music and film fan" (Oregon) - See all my reviews

I just got this CD today and I can't stop listening to it. Skrowaczewski and the Minnesota Orchestra pull off what must be one of the 2 or 3 greatest recordings of the symphony. The first movement has everything: powerfully built climaxes, momentum, mystery, gorgeous strings and SUPER BRASS!! The Scherzo is as rustic and harsh as you could want it. Again, the brass section rocks. And if that wasn't enough, Skrowaczeski's Adagio is absolutely spectacular. He takes a very slow(but perfect) tempo, clocking in at 26:22. He really brings out the spiritual side of the piece like no one else. Again, the strings shimmer and the mid-movement climax is shattering. You can add the Minnesota Orchestra to the list of great Mid-western orchestras, along with Chicago and Cleveland. And the sound quality is stunning. This is truly a huge accomplishment for all concerned. If you plan to just get one recording of this symphony, get this one. Essential listening.

One thing, if you can find Gunter Wand with the Berlin Philharmonic on RCA anywhere, pick it up IMEDIATELLY. It is my all time favorite performance of this piece, with this one in a very close second.