A great disc.
cmk | Oregon | 06/16/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a top notch performance of some early Bruckner and a pratically unknown later piece. The first symphony, while not mature Bruckner, is still a good piece. This performance has all the essential qualities that you need in a performance of anything by Bruckner inclunding powerful brass and timpani. Barenboim shapes the Adagio very well. The filler piece is actually of greater interest then the main piece. The piece is called Helgoland and is set for Male Chorus and Orchestra. The words are a ballad by August Silberstein. The notes say that Bruckner rankes this along with his String Quartet, Masses, Te Deum, and 9 symphonies as one of his most important compositions. He stopped to compose it while composing the Ninth symphony. It is acutally his last completed work. Even if you have a performance of the 1st, get this disc for the Helgoland. If you don't, you'll have an excellent performance of the 1st symphony along with a rarely recorded piece. And Teldec's digital sound is exceptional. I'm definately gonna be getting more Bruckner for Barenboim and Berlin. Great disc."