Initial Thoughts on New Goodies (Bruckner 8 for now)
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| Posted on April 21, 2000 at 12:18:14 | ||
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The Bruckner set of CDs is absolutely outstanding. The tape hiss is SO LOW on this remastering that I can actually play this recording at what I consider to be the full volume of a live symphony orchestra (only the best recordings merit this, most usually sound harsh). Clearly, the mono recordings don't have the depth or width of a modern recording, but they are VERY enjoyable...purely as sound. The '49 8th is a little more recessed than the 9th. Enough about the mono thing. Some very early thoughts on the performances... The strings absolutely SING. The opening of the 8th has nice ebb and flow, Jochum tends to "pull up" the orchestra just before the thrusts of the orchestra. The woodwinds sound great...very, very clear. Wait, I'll repeat myself...the clarinets and flutes are terrific. Percussion is a little muddy (but not nearly as muddy as on the Furwangler 15 March 1949 recording w/BPO in the Titania Palast (Music & Arts 624) -- now THERE'S a super-charged mud-bath of a recording!!! This Jochum is very laid back, a nice change from the chrome-and-fire late Karajan. Enough for now, back to the music...
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