Inspiring performances of exalted music.
D. Roth | Pleasant Hill, Ca | 12/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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!"
Outstanding.
Good Stuff | 02/02/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."