Search - Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra :: Anton Bruckner: 11 Symphonies

The Best Bruckner Compilation

Ryan Kouroukis | Toronto, Ontario Canada | 11/07/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Scrowaczewski isn't very well known, but he's been around since before the sixties, (conducted Chopin Piano Concerto with Arthur Rubinstein in the early Sixties). This highly recommendable set is as close as you can come to a full view of Bruckner. It has his complete symphonies, including his "0" and "00" symphonies, his Overture(the only other recording along side Chailly's) and the Adagio(from String Quintet). Digital recordings, sound is amazing. Interpretation is second to none. He's not a Karajan or a Jochum but he knows how to build Cathedrals! Scrowaczewski brings out a lot more smooth and warm playing from the brass, not as Neurotic as Furtwangler. The set comes in palm size. I prefer this set over Solti's for some reason. I compare this set along side Gunter Wand's set."

Awesome set!

Gregory M. Zinkl | Chicago, IL | 07/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The performances of the 5th, 6th, 7th and especially the 8th are justification enough to get this set. I have written reviews on monst of those performances on Amazon, so I won't elaborate much here.



The other performances are excellent, with the exception of the 4th, which is very good, but just not my favorite. What is especially notable is how well Skrow and his forces bring off the earlier works, even the overly-repetitious 3rd.



The engineering is fine, the string playing outstanding, the brass full and weighty, and the reverance for Bruckner's genius (coupled with the emotional involvement of the listener) comes through consistently. In comparison to Jochum's sets, they are a step ahead (although Jochum's EMI/Dresden set is something to also cherish!)."

Superb, consistently excellent set

Dace Gisclard | Houston, TX | 06/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Bruckner conducting and playing on the highest level. The orchestra is absolutely perfect for Bruckner--silky strings, burnished brass, characterful woodwinds--yet the sound is transparent. Skrowaczewski's pacing is unerring, and, unlike Karajan, he seems emotionally involved. I certainly agree with the positive assessments of the two previous reviewers, although I can't imagine why one of them withheld the fifth star--at least three more are certainly deserved!



It might however, be remarked that one might want to supplement this set with Tintner's No.1, No.2, No.3, No.7 and No.8 because Tintner offers interesting alternative versions (especially No.8, which is QUITE different from the final version). One might also consider Lopez-Cobos' No.4 which gives an earlier and very different version of this work, very much worth hearing.



FYI, Skrowaczewski performs the symphonies in the following versions; I apologize in advance for anything in this list with which anyone might disagree. Bruckner versions and editions are a rat's nest of confusion!: F minor (Nowak); No.1 (Haas, the so-called "Linz" version of 1877); "0" (Nowak); #2 (1st Nowak edition--a hybrid of 1877 and 1872); #3 (Nowak's edition of the 1888-89 version); #4 (Nowak's edition of the 1886 version); #5 (Nowak's edition of the 1878 version); #6 (Nowak); #7 (Nowak); #8 (Nowak's edition of the 1890 revised version); #9 (Nowak). I realize there's a lot more to Bruckner versions than this, so don't write in!



One last point, although Skrowaczewski's set is by far my favorite, Horst Stein outdoes him (and everyone else!) in No.6. Look up my review by Googleing "Bruckner Amazon Stein No.6" and you can read why I think so."