Asahina: Bruckner – Symphonies (11 CD box set, APE)

Dear Mr.Whatever, I cannot express my gratitude to you! You fulfil again my old dream.

Japanese conductor Takashi Asahina is a cult figure in classical music. Near the start of his international career (early 1950s), he met legendary Wilhelm Furtwaengler and discussed with him the interpretation of Bruckner. As far as I may judge, he may be considered as one of the most consistent and successful follower of Furtwangler. He has recorded several full cycles of Beethoven and Bruckner and at least one full cycle of Brahms. At the Boxset the Beethoven cycle by Asahina can also be found; I recommend this cycle very much – it is very unusual treatment of Beethoven with very slow tempos, which are more characteristic to Bruckner, – and unexpectedly very beautiful! As for Bruckner, Asahina recordings rank among the top readings.

I would also like to congratulate the Boxset club: due to the recent great job by Mr.Whatever, now we have here nearly all classical integrales of Bruckner symphonies: Furtwaengler (not always canonic Bruckner readings, but unsurpassed in terms of strength and mystical feeling), Jochum with Berlin Philharmonic, Karajan with the same orchestra, Wand (but I must say that his RCA recordings are valued higher), Skrowaczewski, Tintner, Rozhdestvensky, Inbal – and Asahina. The only integral that would also be good to add to this list is the integrale by Bruckner Orchestra of Linz, recorded by Camerata, with major symphonies in interpretations by Kurt Eichhorn.

Let me to add the list of top recordings of Bruckner symphonies by version of May/June 2006 edition of the American Record Guide:

00
Ashkenazy, Odine 920
Skrowaczewski, Oehms 208
Tintner, Naxos 554432

0
Inbal, Teldec
Barenboim, DG n/a
Rozhdestvensky, Chant du Monde n/a

1
Sieghart, Camerata 367
Karajan, DG n/a
Barenboim, Teldec n/a

2
Jochum, DG set
Eichhorn, Camerata 195 or 379
Karajan, DG n/a
Barenboim, Teldec 21485
Giulini, Testament 1210

3
Bцhm, Decca n/a
Sieghart, Camerata 285
Szell, Sony n/a
Barenboim, Teldec n/a
Jochum, DG set
Karajan, DG n/a

4
Bцhm, Decca 466374
Janowski, Virgin n/a
Karajan, EMI 76887
Sieghart, Camerata 337
Ormandy, Sony 47653 (n/a?)
Mehta, Decca n/a
Skrowaczewski, Oehms 213
Suitner, Berlin 1161

5
Rogner, Berlin 3011
Karajan, DG n/a
Klemperer EMI 63612 (n/a?)
Gielen, Intercord 830872 (n/a?)
Kempe, n/a
Chailly, Decca n/a

6
Berstein, NY Philharmonic
Klemperer, EMI 63351 & 62622
Lopez-Cobox, Telarc 80264
Muti, EMI n/a
Skrowaczewski, Oehms 215

7
Karajan, EMI 76888
Eichhorn, Camerata 165
Walter, Sony 64482
Bцhm, DG n/a
Lopez-Cobos, Telarc 80188

8
Eichhorn, Camerata 225
Wand, RCA 60364 n/a
Kempe, Somm 16
Karajan, DG 427611
Jochum, EMI 73827
Bцhm, DG n/a
Kubelik, Orfeo 203891

9
Walter, Sony 92737
Barenboim, Teldec 72140
Mehta, Decca 468494
Klemperer, EMI 93916 n/a
Rozhdestvensky, n/a
Giulini, EMI 85974

Another list of great recordings may be found at the following address:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/Apr09/Bruckner_Symphonies_Article.htm

I would also add that now there is several accomplishments of Bruckner’s 9th symphony (on the basis of his own sketches). You may find one version by Samale and Mazzuca in Rozhdestvensky set, but I personally prefer the version by William Carragan as much more logical and close to my understanding of Bruckner as faithful Catolic. Accomplishment of the Bruckner’s 9th is as worthy as accomplishment of Mozart Requiem, and now we have great progress on this way.

The best Internet resource, devoted to Bruckner, is http://www.abruckner.com/