Bruckner Symphony 7 - BBC Music Magazine's 'Building a Library'

Posted by: Parry Stanford on 14 April 2006

In the current May edition of BBC Music Magazine's 'Building a Library' feature Stephen Johnson’s winner from about fifteen or so versions of Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 was Karl Bohm with the Vienna Philharmonic on DG. Second place was Gunter Wand with the Cologne RSO on RCA. The budget choice was Georg Tintner with the Royal Scottish Symphony on Naxos.

I know is all down to personal taste but I was amazed that two of my favourite versions were not included in the contenders: Bruno Walter with the Columbia Symphony from Hollywood in 1961 and my long-time first choice account from Bruckner specialist Eugen Jochum with the Berlin Philharmonic on DG recorded in Berlin in 1964.

Posted on: 14 April 2006 by Todd A

I can think of no versions that betters Giulini's magnificent reading. (Maybe Celi's Stuttgart recording comes close to matching it.)

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Posted on: 14 April 2006 by Tam

Are these the same choices as from when Radio 3 did it the other month. For what it's worth, we had a thread on it back then:

http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/380...2990307/r/9322901307

I have several recordings of this work (indeed, I have three whole cycles: Solti, Tintner and Jochum, his later EMI recordings) including Walter and Rattle. When they did it on radio 3 I was amazed how many significant Brucknerians failed to appear at all (I can't recall exactly, but I think they missed just about all mine except Tintner - now perhaps it's justified to miss Rattle, his is pretty poor, but Jochum?). At risk of rehashing what I said on the other thread, my favourites are probably Walter and Jochum.

At this summer's Edinburgh festival, in addition to my Beethoven overdose (thanks to Charles Mackerras), we are also getting all the Bruckners (though now I've bought the tickets I am slightly concerned that it may have been a mistake as he can get a little samey if not done well).

regards, Tam

p.s. I haven't actually bought BBC Music in over a year (and the last time it was just because Mackerras was conducting Mahler 6 on the CD, fortunately that more than justified the price because I didn't think a huge amount of it otherwise).

Posted on: 14 April 2006 by Oldnslow

My favourite is the old Furtwangler recording, from 1951 I believe, most recently available on Archipel. Sure, the sound leaves something to be desired but the performance is awesome. I also very much enjoyed the recent Herreweghe recording on Harmonia Mundi. I also get a kick out of listening to the chamber reduction of the 7th by the Melos ensemble.

Posted on: 15 April 2006 by u5227470736789439

... Into favourite territory with Seven, where I have (in decending order of preference) Hans Knappertsbusch VPO, Furtwangler BPO, and Carl Boehm with the Dresden State Orchestra...

I wrote this about a month ago on the Bruckner Seventh. The Knapertsbusch live recording at Salzburg from 1949(?) is out on Music and Arts, and the Furtwangler recording I mention here is owned by EMI and is from a live performance from 1949 or 1950 in Berlin. I am not sure this is out at the moment though.

All the best from Fredrik