Track Listing

1. Symphony No. 1 In C Minor
2. Symphony No. 2 In C Minor
3. Symphony No. 3 In D Minor
4. Symphony No. 4, 'Romantic' In E Flat
5. Symphony No. 5 In B Flat
6. Symphony No. 6 In A
7. Symphony No. 7 In E
8. Symphony No. 8 In C Minor
9. Symphony No. 9 In D Minor

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #62869 in Music
• Released on: 2002-05-13
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Box set, Import
• Dimensions: 1.96 pounds

Customer Reviews

Please be careful
Günter Wand is THE conductor when it comes to Bruckner. He traversed the all the great symphonies (with the exception of the mighty 6th) with the Berlin Philharmonic. All have been extremely well received, especially his rendition of the 8th, which won the Gramophone CD of the month. As to be expected, not only are Wand's interpretations inspired but the Philharmonic follows in similar fashion, playing as only the Berlin Philharmonic can.

This set, recorded with the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra, is a different beast. Wand's typical energy and passion is of course as evident as ever. The issue I have is with the orchestra. With Bruckner becoming more and more popular, it is becoming increasingly easier to find excellent recordings of the symphonies with exceptional conductors/orchestras. Karajan is always a safe bet. Eugen Jochum's groundbreaking traversal of the symphonies is also highly recommended. In this Wand set, the Cologne Radio Symphony just can't measure up to the better European orchestras. As mentioned above, look for Wand's Berlin Bruckner Symphonies. This set is well conducted and well played in spirit, but the orchestra just cannot measure up.

The Greatest of the Bruckner-Wand recordings
Let's get something clear from the start: the orchestra is spectacular! The Cologne band is the same orchestra featured in Bertini's marvelous Mahler cycle. They perform with fire, passion and virtuosity. I defy anyone to point out lapses in ensemble or faulty intonation anywhere. Fiendishly difficult passages--as in the Scherzo of Symphony No. 1 (Vienna version), the Finales of the 5th and 8th symphonies, among many others--are executed with both precision and musicality. There is no struggle in their music-making and they are recorded (especially in this 24-bit mastered issue) in demonstration quality sound. I own complete and partial cycles of Bruckner symphonies by Solti, Haitink, Chailly, Karajan, Celibidache (EMI), Barenboim (DGG and Teldec), Jochum (DGG and EMI), Dohnanyi, Inbal, Tintner, Skrowaczewski, Asahina, Davies, Rozhdestvensky, and many single issues by the likes of Furtwangler, Klemperer, Boulez, Bernstein, Harnoncourt, Simone Young (keep your eye on this young woman!), and many more. (Readers can hopefully surmise that I do have other examples of Bruckner with which to compare.)

Now, Wand. I came very late to the work of this maestro, as I had also done with Bertini. After buying Wand's Bruckner recordings with the NDR (another world-class orchestra) on a whim, I was amazed at the clarity, command and intensity of his readings. Don't be fooled by the amiable grandfatherly photos of the conductor: his heart, mind and spirit are not arthritic! After purchasing and listening to Wand's Schubert, Beethoven and Brahms symphonies, I am convinced that this man deserves to be considered among the greatest conductors of all time. This is not a Kappelmeister--in the pejorative sense--approach to music. His performances are always involved, individual and --thank God--well rehearsed!

Even though Wand's Berlin recordings of Bruckner (4, 5, 7, 8 and 9) are singled out as his best recorded Bruckner, I must absolutely disagree. They are good, very good, but nowhere as bracing as his Cologne and NDR versions. While the Berlin performances are quite beautiful, the overall impression is slightly static, somewhat careful, and noticeably slower (most of the time confused with profundity). Compare the 5th, 7th and 8th symphonies with Cologne and NDR, with the ones from Berlin--for me, the diffrence between "alive" and "artistically embalmed."

I passionately recommend this reviewed set to anyone who loves Bruckner. If you are able to find it, I also encourage you to listen to Wand's NDR (live) cycle (Nos. 3-9 only). I guarantee that you will soon be collecting Wand's other recordings in due time.

He may not be Furtwangler but......
Wand is a great, reliable Bruckner conductor. Seems he recorded the symphonies three times. I know there is an NDR set, there is the Cologne set and then he did them in Berlin. I wonder if RCA will ever issue syms 1,2,3 and 6?

His Bruckner is clear and reliable. He does not quite have the sense of mystery that Furtwangler does. Furtwangler's 9th is one of the great Bruckner recordings of all time. Still, Wand has great command and his readings are worth hearing.

Only close to Furtwangler is the hard to get set with Eichhorn on Camerata. The elderly Eichhorn was a fantastic Bruckner condutor. Too bad his Camerata set is virtually impossible to get.