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From October 1979 until January 1982 I was stationed in West Berlin with the 298th Army Band. I first heard a Bruckner symphony on the radio (I don't remember if it was from East or West Berlin.) Anyway, that was back in the days of vinyl recordings and we could get them really cheap in East Berlin. I bought every Bruckner recording I could find in the record shops on "the other side of the wall." Although Bruckner's last symphony was No. 9, it was actually his eleventh symphony. The poor guy went through a series of nervous breakdowns. He wrote one symphony, which is called the "Study Symphony" or No. 00 (double zero) and forgot that one. Then he wrote another symphony, now called No. 0 (zero). Then he began to make some progress. The Bruckner symphonies with tuba parts are 4-9. 00, 0, and 1-3 don't have tuba parts. My personal favorite, all around, is No. 8, which is sometimes called the "Apocalyptic Symphony."

My favorite Bruckner No. 7 is the performance by Riccardo Chailly and the Radio-Symphonie- Orchester Berlin. (London 414 290-4)

The community orchestra in which I play second trumpet will be doing Bruckner 7 later this year. I can't wait. It's a glorious work.

The Chicago recording from the 80's available almost only as a full set from DGG. I believe Daniel Barenboim is the conductor.

This performance shows the Chicago brass at the height of their abilities. Stunning brass, beautiful performance overall.

Alex C wrote:The Chicago recording from the 80's available almost only as a full set from DGG. I believe Daniel Barenboim is the conductor.

This performance shows the Chicago brass at the height of their abilities. Stunning brass, beautiful performance overall.

4 and 7 are available as a double disk set.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000 ... 29?ie=UTF8
The full set was never "officially" released on CD's. I had it on LP's and had a heck of a time selling them on TubeNet- I practially gave them away!!

Kurt Masur and the NYPO also have a "landmark" recording of the 7th out, and it is noticeably different than Chicago. Some h-u-g-e bass trombone playing on it courtesy of Mr. Harwood. I am not sure if it is still in print.

While both are absolutely outstanding, in all honesty I prefer the timbres of the vintage Chicago brass section as opposed to the more modern (late Deck era) New York sound.

Marty, All I can say is thank you.... The entire LP set is still wonderful! They are some of the best Bruckner I have ever heard

HeikoWoehler wrote:Hello to you and nice greetings from Germany, another very outstanding recording has been made in 1992 with the NDR-Symphony and Guenter Wand.

I will second the support of the recordings by the late Gunter Wand. His late seventies recording of Bruckner 7 with the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra is one of my favorites. Great ensemble balance, and a solid interpretation that makes a lot of musical sense.

HeikoWoehler wrote:I´ll agree with the comment that the New York tubaplaying in the Marsurrecording is an little bit weak. Donny Harwood has done an great job on his bassbone.

That recording was a bit of a disappointment. It sounds at times like the brass are playing from backstage. I wonder if this was Masur giving the hand at practically every entrance, or the work of a sound engineer??

HeikoWoehler wrote: I´ll agree with the comment that the New York tubaplaying in the Marsurrecording is an little bit weak.

This recording was from opening night of Masur's inaugural concert. As great a musician as Maestro Masur is, his conception of where the tuba fits in is vastly different from what the NYers were used to. Keep in mind that the balance on this and many other Masur/NYP recordings (Franck D Minor comes to mind) is determined solely by Mr. Masur (aka the hand is firmly in place). Regardless, it is a wonderful recording, albeit disappointing from a balance perspective.

My favorite recording by far, however, is Celibidache with the Munich Phil. If you have not heard the Celi recordings on EMI, they will change your life...or at least how you listen to Bruckner! Definitely worth a lifetime of listenings!

I saw (heard) the NYP Bruckner 7 broadcast live on PBS Great Performances, and the low brass section sounded great with no balance issues I can recall. The CD was VERY different, with the low brass sounding like they were in another room.

However, this recording was nowhere as bad as the way the engineers screwed up the Frank d minor. I remember eagerly awaiting the release of that CD to hear Warren on such a great part. It was the most dissappointing listening experience I can remember. I'm sure the low brass played great. I just wish I could have heard them.

I have been reluctant to purchase any more Masur NYP recordings since, but had to bite on the Prokofiev 5/Romeo & Juliet and the Shostakovich 7, both of which are excellent.

I once heard Warren tell a story about a rehearsal of Scherezade where Masur was constantly telling Warren he was too loud. On the next passage, Warren only pretended to play, and was still told he was too loud. He then informed Masur that he was not playing at all, embarrasing Masur in front of the whole orchestra.

He siad that he apologized after the rehearsal was over, but told Masur that we have a much different concept of sound in the States compared to what he was used to in Europe, implying that he may just as well get used to it.

There's a very fine live recording of St Louis with Mike Sanders. It is or was available from their website

Michael Eastep