1. The first versions of B2 and B3 are revolutionary masterpieces in their own rights. All subsequent revisions (by Bruckner) imposed serious cuts which compromised the coherency and logic of the originals, in my opinion. Blomstedt recognized this and chose the first versions, which are gaining more and more recognition in performances and recordings. Beyond Tintner and Blomstedt, there are fine recordings by Young, Ballot, Bosch, Bolton, Nott, Nezet-Seguin, et al.
2. Regarding editions he used - I applaud his use of Haas in the Eighth and regret Haas in the Seventh for the lack of the percussion, which *was* favored by Bruckner as current research supports. Plus his subsequent use of percussion in both versions of B8, the 1888 version of B4, and Helgoland. He appears to have *liked* the effect!
3. The Querstand recordings represent some of the very best Bruckner on record. Some of the indiviidual Querstand SACDs are available at reasonable prices from jpc.de.
This set made with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra has gained a substantial reputation but was always very expensive and the discs are now very hard to find. After long hoping that it would be reissued at a reasonable price, instead it has recently become available to stream on Idagio – the service I happen to use. But as far as I can tell (and this may change at any time), it is not on other streaming platforms yet.
Does this set deserve its reputation? My answer is yes very much so. What you get is top level in terms of orchestral playing and sound, and I would also rate Blomstedt’s conducting of the composer very highly. Tempi, phrasing, dynamics and transitions are all very natural and there is a pleasing consistency about this set which was made live (but without signficant audience intrusion). Version wise you might raise your eyebrows at the first versions of the second and third (I would have done more than that for the first versions of the fourth or eighth) but Blomstedt makes the case for these versions as well as few apart from Tintner have done before. So this is definitely a set to hear if you can, and amongst the very best “available”. The conductor will shortly turn 94 – is he now the oldest great conductor still alive? Possibly so. Did he conduct one of the great recorded Bruckner cycles? Yes.
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