Pulled into your last paragraph, deeply I was. So true and beautiful as said in the saying.
I've never been for Brahms. Neither for Mahler nor for Beethoven (except the early piano sonatas of the latter and his symphony, Pastoral). Chopin is okay. I like his Scherzo.
I didn't know Bruckner. I'm just an ignorant barbarian for many things by all means. Music is no exception.
I'm clinging on Mozart and Bach, with whom how happy I can be at any time and always. The 17th century (northern Italy) concertos of strings, in addition.
Vivaldi.
Looking forward to the arrival of your music installment!
I recently saw Mahler’s 2nd symphony in concert in San Francisco and it was incredible. Very moving piece. I’m inspired to get much more into Bruckner because of this piece David. Looking forward to listening through all his symphonies and to the posts about music as well!
A hugely enjoyable essay, thank you. I've always loved Bruckner, and am so glad you repeated the phrase "cathedrals of sound" to describe his music, as I think that's about the best nutshell available. I'd also add that his popularity was likely hurt by the Nazi's promotion of his music; he was second only to Wagner in this regard, if memory serves. His bombastic moments suited their mood well, and, at least as the war ground on, his slow movements also spoke deeply as the outward symbols of the Reich and "the Germany that was" came crashing down around their ears.
There are so many great anecdotes about this saintly man. Another of my favorites is how he was apt to pause his lectures and conversation when the time came for the Angelus. One would give much to have seen the expressions of his very worldly pupils and admirers when he did these things.
As regards recordings, I'd guess our host has his own opinions, but the three conductors most often mentioned in this area are Karajan (often a dodgy man at the baton, but he really is good with Bruckner, I think (and R Strauss!)), Celibidache (a very wayward interpreter, with extremely slow tempos, but he does provide an interesting listening experience) and Jochum (who as a devout Catholic himself possibly understood the works better than most). Many others, of course, but those are at least a good starting point.
EDIT: Gunter Wand tends to be overlooked, but is another superb interpreter of the symphonies. One the best in my opinion.
I’ve often described sections of the 8th’s Scherzo as being giant riddle boxes, and the whole thing a tower-sized wooden clock momentarily opening windows onto its meticulous inner movements. “Blocks of sound” actually fits quite well if we are imagining a genius German toymaker carving each irreplaceable gear, each bowing squirrel and pirouetting dancer, all fitting together so attentively that the rough carved mechanics become imperceptible. Of course, such an enchanted structure would be completely unnecessary -especially with all of the technology available to architects of the industrial age- but that is the other backhanded compliment I’ve heard from Bruckner critics: unnecessarily difficult.
And that’s why he’s the patron saint of all those unintentionally complimented by their critics:)
Pulled into your last paragraph, deeply I was. So true and beautiful as said in the saying.
I've never been for Brahms. Neither for Mahler nor for Beethoven (except the early piano sonatas of the latter and his symphony, Pastoral). Chopin is okay. I like his Scherzo.
I didn't know Bruckner. I'm just an ignorant barbarian for many things by all means. Music is no exception.
I'm clinging on Mozart and Bach, with whom how happy I can be at any time and always. The 17th century (northern Italy) concertos of strings, in addition.
Vivaldi.
Looking forward to the arrival of your music installment!
ps: ... I suddenly realized I know Jochum...
and the fire and the rose are one.
I recently saw Mahler’s 2nd symphony in concert in San Francisco and it was incredible. Very moving piece. I’m inspired to get much more into Bruckner because of this piece David. Looking forward to listening through all his symphonies and to the posts about music as well!
Have you seen the Ken Russell film about Bruckner? I haven't watched it but I love his other films, especially the one about Mahler.
I have not. But who can forget Roger Daltrey as Liszt?
Oh dang, I forgot about that one. My mom took me to see The Music Lovers when I was about 13. I was traumatized but enraptured.
A hugely enjoyable essay, thank you. I've always loved Bruckner, and am so glad you repeated the phrase "cathedrals of sound" to describe his music, as I think that's about the best nutshell available. I'd also add that his popularity was likely hurt by the Nazi's promotion of his music; he was second only to Wagner in this regard, if memory serves. His bombastic moments suited their mood well, and, at least as the war ground on, his slow movements also spoke deeply as the outward symbols of the Reich and "the Germany that was" came crashing down around their ears.
There are so many great anecdotes about this saintly man. Another of my favorites is how he was apt to pause his lectures and conversation when the time came for the Angelus. One would give much to have seen the expressions of his very worldly pupils and admirers when he did these things.
As regards recordings, I'd guess our host has his own opinions, but the three conductors most often mentioned in this area are Karajan (often a dodgy man at the baton, but he really is good with Bruckner, I think (and R Strauss!)), Celibidache (a very wayward interpreter, with extremely slow tempos, but he does provide an interesting listening experience) and Jochum (who as a devout Catholic himself possibly understood the works better than most). Many others, of course, but those are at least a good starting point.
EDIT: Gunter Wand tends to be overlooked, but is another superb interpreter of the symphonies. One the best in my opinion.
Jochum's recordings of his sacred music are far and away the best.
I’ve often described sections of the 8th’s Scherzo as being giant riddle boxes, and the whole thing a tower-sized wooden clock momentarily opening windows onto its meticulous inner movements. “Blocks of sound” actually fits quite well if we are imagining a genius German toymaker carving each irreplaceable gear, each bowing squirrel and pirouetting dancer, all fitting together so attentively that the rough carved mechanics become imperceptible. Of course, such an enchanted structure would be completely unnecessary -especially with all of the technology available to architects of the industrial age- but that is the other backhanded compliment I’ve heard from Bruckner critics: unnecessarily difficult.
And that’s why he’s the patron saint of all those unintentionally complimented by their critics:)
The only music is good music
Beautiful piece. Thank you!
Is there any particular recording of the Ninth Symphony that you would especially recommend?
Is there a sense of Melville’s “God keep me from ever completing anything” in that metaphor somewhere?