Customer Rating: 
Summary: If I Could Have Only One Set of Bruckner Symphonies?
Comment: Both of Jochum's "complete Bruckner symphonies" have long satisfied collectors of every stripe. They're performed by one of Bruckner's greatest interpreters and in the EMI set he is at the helm of a unique sounding group of players, the Dresden Staatskapelle Orchestra. It stands up well under "desert island" scrutiny. The difference between the DGG and EMI versions has more to do with the orchestras themselves than the interpretations. The EMI is recorded between '79 and '82. DGG derives from the late `50s through the late `60s with the Berlin Philharmonic and Jochum's old friend, the Bayerischen Rundfunks. I find the Dresden players give every ounce of energy they have to reach Jochum's great climaxes. The performances occasionally have an edge to them that the earlier ones don't contain. Jochum makes huge demands on Dresden in their large church acoustic. On the other hand both the Bayerischen and Berlin orchestras on DGG seem always to have something in reserve. Of course there's nothing wrong with either approach. At the moment, I like the Dresden the best.
Yet most ardent Bruckner fans will not be satisfied with a single conductor for each of these symphonies. In any given box set there is sure to be one with its "betters" sitting on a shelf somewhere.
In accordance with the last statement, I'm posting two lists of opinions regarding individual recordings by various conductors, including Jochum, that you might wish to consider as adjuncts to any box set you might buy. You might want to think of looking in some "used" sections.
The first group is from a friend whose knowledge of Bruckner's place in the symphonic firmament is all encompassing. The second is my limited opinion because it only covers the 4th to the 9th. That's because I agree with my friend's choices on the first three symphonies. It should be noted that both of us have based our choices on years of collecting and listening to all of Bruckner's grand epics.
Let's start with my friend's first:
"1) I still think Jochum's DGG version is the best of the Linz Version - Gunter Wand or Chailly for the Vienna version (even if Wand never liked to perform it)
2) I like Carragan's 1873 EDITION best - The best performance is Blomstedt's with Toronto - next would be Chaiilly in Leipzig (both are broadcasts).
3) EDITIONS in order of preference: 1, 2, and 3 - the more Bruckner meddled, the worse it got. 1st version - Hans Zender is the best (broadcast) Blomstedt does this very well. Tintner turns it into a massive edifice; 2nd version - Kubelik and Haitink; 3rd version - Szell is clean and precise - Celibidache makes it mystical
4) 1st version - Michael Gielen makes this version work - hard to do; For the 2nd version, Wand/BPO, Boehm, too many to choose...
5) Horenstein on BBC Classics is a classic, So is Furtwängler. Roegner does interesting things as does Gielen, Wand BPO, Matacic
6) Wand, Kubelik, Klemperer, Keilberth - a new version by Ira Levin to come out soon uses the Hynais edition - very interesting
7) Too many - so many are very good.
8) 1st version - Inbal or Gielen, 2nd version - Too many - Giulini's DGG should be heard, Wand BPO, Horenstein, Goodale, Karajan VPO, Tennstedt
9) Wand again, Naito (just for the Carragan Finale), Furtwangler, Knappertsbusch, Jochum,
10) B0 - Haitink, Rozhdestvensky, Skrowaczewski, Asahina
11) F Minor - Skrowaczewski, Rozhdestvensky"
Here are mine. (I confess I barely know 10 and 11.)
4. As my friend so aptly puts it "too many to choose from." Jochum is always great though here are two others - sonically - Karajan, EMI '71; Solti, Chicago, '81, BBC broadcast, Proms - Royal Albert Hall -rare and n/a commercially;
5. Jochum Concertgebouw, '64 live, Philips; Jochum, 82, Dresden; Rozhdestvensky, Orchestra of the Ministry of Culture, 84, Revelation; Karajan, VPO, Salzburg,'69 live; Furtwangler '51 EMI; for fun try Thielemann, Munich PO, DGG - be aware that the final moments of the last movement will push most sound systems very hard as the climax of the final chorale never stops building through the last measure.
6. Jochum (any); Leitner(!), '82, SWRO, Haenssler;
7. Jochum, BPO, '52, Tahra; Jochum, DVD or CD, Concergebouw in Japan, '86 Bells of St. Florian (his last); Giulini, Philharmonia, 82, live BBC; Matacic, CPO, Supraphon; Blomstedt, Dresden, '84, Denon; Barbirolli, Halle, '70, BBC; only for die hards: Toscanini, '35 NYPO, Pristine (some small parts missing in mvts 2 and 4);
8. My favorite of all Bruckner 8ths: GIULINI, PHILHARMONIA, '83, live, BBC; then, Giulini, VPO, DGG; Karajan, VPO, DGG; Barbirolli, Halle, '70, BBC; Kubelik, Bayrischen Rundfunks, Orfeo; 1st version, Inbal, Frankfurt, Teldec - hard to find; this is just a smattering of so many great versions available.
9. ABOVE ALL: GIULINI, VPO, '88 live, DGG - note: NOT CHICAGO/EMI!*; Barbirolli, Halle, '69 live, BBC; too many more to name.
My list certainly doesn't negate Wand or Celibidache or a dozen other great conductors such as Klemperer or Kabasta or Böhm. But after repeated listening, I think the ones mentioned are the ones I turn to more often than not.
No matter what anyone says, the EMI/Jochum/Dresden set may serve your purposes in every sense. For the price alone it should be bought before it goes away forever. It's also interesting to see how often Jochum is chosen by both of us. The EMI/Dresden sound goes well beyond expectations, especially when compared to the American LPs from the last century. (I've always wanted to say that).
*A special note about the DGG Giulini 9th. For me and many other listeners I've had the pleasure to share it with, the performance stands as Giulini's greatest recorded triumph with Bruckner. The first mvt at over 28 minutes is only faster than Celibidache's. But in that 28 minutes something quite extraordinary happens. The Italian maestro, who felt in his early years that he shouldn't be paid to make music, transcends the written page at every turn. I can say, at least for myself, if I could keep only one CD, this would be it.
Customer Rating: Summary: Still and Always the GOLD STANDARD!
Comment: The words of praise I have about this set are innumerable. It was my first Bruckner cycle...I grew up with it. It accompanied me in all my times...and it changed my life.
Jochum completely understands Bruckner, and his love for him shines out of every Symphony in this incredible set.
Here's a few things of why I think Jochum's 2nd set surpasses all others:
1) His answering to Bruckner's many spiritual questions.
2) His searching and quest like feeling he brings to the music.
3) The meaning, weight and believablility he gives to Bruckner's vision.
4) The consistency of dedication throughout all of the symphonies.
5) The recorded sound is warm, clear and sumptuous.
6) The orchestral playing shines splendorously throughout.
7) It seems from the magic aura these recordings have, that it wasn't just Jochum who loved Bruckner but also the players, the engineers and even the producers who all worked on this production.
I set this bar above Karajan's recording, Celibidache's, Haitink's, Masur's, Chailly's, Wand's, Eichhorn's, Skrowaczewski's, Furtwangler's, Knappertsbush's, and also Jochum's first set.
A MUST in all households!
Customer Rating: Summary: Definitive
Comment: This box set a must-have. Actually, Eugen Jochum recorded all Bruckner twice. First one with Berliner Philharmoniker for Deutsche Grammophon at 60's, the second is that one with Staatskapelle Dresden for EMI, 70's. Well, it's a little complicated to choose one, because both of them have different qualities. But, I suppose, that Dresden version is more transparent, dramatic and intensive than Berliner version.
Eugen Jochum is a master on the music of Bruckner. His reading way is totally opposite of Celibidache. Celibidache has the majesty, the sustaining of time in the manner of Zen On the other hand, Jochum has spontaneity, dramatic intensity. You will not bore in any little moment when you're listening Jochum's Bruckner. The Staatskapelle Dresden sound is so precise, clear in every minimal detail, you can hear all the counterpointal subjects and parts, very deep and satisfying bass sound, touching strings (just check the Adagio of 9th) and glorious brass section (check the complete 7th).
The most interesting points that I shall say are: the 4th is really very interesting, I haven't listen any version just like that, it is not similar to any reading. One hour long that symphony moving on just like a few minutes. Especially the last movement has an enigmatique intensity. The 7th is one of the best available. The majesty of the firs movement, the solemn and desolate Adagio which is written for death of Wagner, the Shcerzo which will make your tension up and again, a majestic mood, Finale.
The 9th! I think, this is the best ever! How Jochum make that music such dramatic, you can imagine a master composer now near to death and hardly working on finish his last symphony... The string tremolos at the very beggining sounds like nothingness. And then 8 horns coming just like the meaning of life. The sarcastic and devilish Scherzo, may be the best Scherzo of all Bruckner. And "farewell" Adagio, begins with full singing-strings, and time is now sustaining, there is nothing going on,just the end of everything and waiting for the last breath. And there is a huge climax includes a dissonant chord, just like the dissonant chord of Mahler 10th. But then, fade away...
If you're searching for a really defenitive Bruckner performances, you should get that. Highly recommended.
