Anton Bruckner: Te Deum; Mass in D minor [IMPORT]

Alastair Miles (Performer), Anton Bruckner (Composer), Matthew Best (Conductor), Corydon Orchestra (Orchestra), James O'Donnell (Performer), Joan Rodgers (Performer), Keith Lewis (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Alastair Miles, James O'Donnell, Joan Rodgers, Keith Lewis
• Orchestra: Corydon Orchestra
• Conductor: Matthew Best
• Composer: Anton Bruckner
• Audio CD (February 17, 1994)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B000002ZSQ
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #307,393 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
This extremely impressive disc contains music from the beginning and the end of Bruckner's composing career. The Te Deum is one of five great 19th-century settings of the text (the others are by Haydn, Berlioz, Verdi, and Dvorák). In form it follows a pattern similar to Haydn's, though on a much larger scale; but musically it's unique. Bruckner's preference for unison melody and modal harmony make the piece sound like a huge Gregorian chant for chorus with orchestral accompaniment. The piece was an instant success at its first performance (it blew Mahler away), and it hasn't looked back since. The Mass No. 1 is an earlier score but also a work of deep sincerity and warmth. Performances are really good, and the recording captures the organ part in the Te Deum particularly well. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring performances of exalted music., December 14, 2000

By	D. Roth "drth" (Pleasant Hill, Ca) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

These performances convey Bruckner's religious intensity with power and dignity,with his austere melodic lines and awesome dynamics kept in constant balance. The sound is beautiful-massive & resonant in climactic sections but always clear and texturally clean.

The real comparison is with Eugen Jochum's equally fine Te Deum on DGG's "Originals" series. The sound, even though from 1967 is every bit as powerful as the Hyperion disc, and actually a little "closer." The performance is also glorious, and benefits from a really great team of soloists.

The deciding factor should be the couplings: The Hyperion disc contains the Mass in D, one of Bruckner's first successful large-scale works ( even though he was forty when he completed it). Though not as magnetic as the Te Deum,it has moments of incredible power and a conclusion of really moving serenity. The DGG disc contains the series of motets Bruckner completed over several decades. These works vary from solo writing to 8 part choral writing! The last four are for chorus alone. The Psalm 150 setting was Bruckner's last vocal work, and ends the disc with a fervency like that of the Te Deum.

Both discs are highly recommended. ( You can always justify buying both since the DGG is at mid-price.) At least one of them has a place in any choral collection. Enjoy!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding., February 1, 2004

By	Good Stuff "noreasonableofferrefused" - See all my reviews

It's a bit unusual that as "obscure" a work as Bruckner's mighty "Te Deum" should have so many fine recordings in the catalog.

I grew up with Karajan's first DGG recording, now long gone. I would love to be able to compare it to this newer effort.

I am comfortable, though, in saying this recording is on the mark in every way. It is a beautiful and powerful interpretation, magnificently recorded.

Simply outstanding in every way.

5 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good cd of an outstanding composer, October 16, 1999

By A Customer

Bruckner's religious music is certainly no popular classics. If people were more openminded, they would be happier and feel much better by injecting some Bruckner in their veins. This record is a quite good oportunity to feel Bruckner at its best.