"Critical reviews of the individual issues of the symphonies as they appeared over a decade have been generally very complimentary and approving but, at least according to my online researches, assessments of the complete set as a whole are relatively sparse. However, every one of these symphonies has been reviewed by MusicWeb colleagues, the majority by John Quinn, as per the list below. With one or two exceptions – for example, Nick Barnard’s reaction to a Ninth which, in contrast, I liked very much – their response was very positive."
In the interest of balance - I reviewed just one of the Young cycle - No.9 - and disliked every micro-managed moment of it. Superbly played and - to my ear - affected to the nth degree in the interpretation. But hey - the other 8 (or more) symphonies might be great!
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/June/Bruckner_sy9_OC693.htm
Dieter,
Ralph Moore has convinced you - very rightly - of the merits of Simone Young's Bruckner cycle. You may be intere4sted to know that Patrick Waller and I also covered the Young cycle in the 2020 revision of our survey of Bruckner recordings. You can find that at http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2020/May/Bruckner_symphonies_revisited.pdf
Thank you for taking part in the MusicWeb International Forum.
Len Mullenger - Founder of MusicWeb