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Honeck's Bruckner 7th

Posted by Jim on October 19, 2025, 4:24 pm

I recently purchased Honeck's Bruckner 7th based upon the positive review of Kelvin Chan. After a few critical listens, it seems as if -- once again -- Honeck's fussiness, micro-management, and "air quoting" of subsidiary themes have been interpreted as "fresh" and "insightful,"
(perhaps by young, inexperienced ears?)

I will continue to enjoy the late Kreizberg's relatively modern performance with the VPO, (thankfully bereft of Honeck's gimmicks), good old Bruno Walter's stereo Columbia, (the horn section led by the legendary Vincent DeRosa), and Furt's evergreen '51 live with the Berlin.

Is your critic even aware of performances before the era of Brittany Spears?

Re: Honeck's Bruckner 7th

Posted by Ralph Moore on October 19, 2025, 4:33 pm, in reply to "Honeck's Bruckner 7th"

Jim, I would simply point out that not only Kelvin Chan, but three more MusicWeb critics, including me, were bowled over by that recording. It was twice designated "Recommended", then again "Record of the Month", then a "Recording of the Year" as nominated by six reviewers. I fail to see the relevance of your unnecessarily acerbic allusion to the "era of Brittany Spears", which has little to do with our own frame of reference.

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Re: Honeck's Bruckner 7th

Posted by jim on October 19, 2025, 5:49 pm, in reply to "Re: Honeck's Bruckner 7th"

It is my opinion that you were all bowled-over by gimmickry. Time will tell.

Previous Message

I recently purchased Honeck's Bruckner 7th based upon the positive review of Kelvin Chan. After a few critical listens, it seems as if -- once again -- Honeck's fussiness, micro-management, and "air quoting" of subsidiary themes have been interpreted as "fresh" and "insightful,"
(perhaps by young, inexperienced ears?)

I will continue to enjoy the late Kreizberg's relatively modern performance with the VSO, (thankfully bereft of Honeck's gimmicks), good old Bruno Walter's stereo Columbia, (the horn section led by the legendary Vincent DeRosa), and Furt's evergreen '51 live with the Berlin.

Is your critic even aware of performances before the era of Brittany Spears?

Re: Honeck's Bruckner 7th

Posted by Chris from Lafayette on October 22, 2025, 8:27 pm, in reply to "Re: Honeck's Bruckner 7th"

I know what you mean, Jim. Today's performers and engineers simply do not have the stature of the greats who were still alive when I was a strapping young lad! It's just impossible for today's musicians to escape the malign influence of Britney Spears. She's a bad scene!

Previous Message

It is my opinion that you were all bowled-over by gimmickry. Time will tell.

Previous Message

I recently purchased Honeck's Bruckner 7th based upon the positive review of Kelvin Chan. After a few critical listens, it seems as if -- once again -- Honeck's fussiness, micro-management, and "air quoting" of subsidiary themes have been interpreted as "fresh" and "insightful,"
(perhaps by young, inexperienced ears?)

I will continue to enjoy the late Kreizberg's relatively modern performance with the VSO, (thankfully bereft of Honeck's gimmicks), good old Bruno Walter's stereo Columbia, (the horn section led by the legendary Vincent DeRosa), and Furt's evergreen '51 live with the Berlin.

Is your critic even aware of performances before the era of Brittany Spears?

Re: Honeck's Bruckner 7th

Posted by Barry Cronin on October 21, 2025, 7:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Honeck's Bruckner 7th"

Britney (sic) Spears' first hit single was Sep 1998 (thanks, Wikipedia). That's just over 27 years ago. Does anyone want to count how many Bruckner 7ths there have been in that time?

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Re: Honeck's Bruckner 7th

Posted by Ralph Moore on October 22, 2025, 3:07 am, in reply to "Re: Honeck's Bruckner 7th"

Intrigued by your question, Barry, I consulted the Bruckner discography and discovered that the answer is, well over 200.

Previous Message

Britney (sic) Spears' first hit single was Sep 1998 (thanks, Wikipedia). That's just over 27 years ago. Does anyone want to count how many Bruckner 7ths there have been in that time?

Previous Message

Re: Honeck's Bruckner 7th

Posted by Nick Barnard on October 22, 2025, 8:01 am, in reply to "Re: Honeck's Bruckner 7th"

Should there be a new Bruckner Cataloging system using "BS" numbers?

Previous Message

Britney (sic) Spears' first hit single was Sep 1998 (thanks, Wikipedia). That's just over 27 years ago. Does anyone want to count how many Bruckner 7ths there have been in that time?

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