Bruckner’s Music.

 

Anton Bruckner:

Performed by the Staatskapelle Berlin, Daniel Barenboim conducting.

I still have difficulty connecting with Austrian composer Anton Bruckner. Whenever I make a serious effort to listen to his works, I rediscover one thing that makes me uncomfortable: His music seems to reach a climax, and I expect it to end, yet the music marches on. Some day I will figure this out.

I know that I need to conquer this issue, because I realize that I do value the essential elements of Bruckner’s symphonic style: The orchestration, the intensity of sound, and the enormous richness of his expression.

Here is Mr. Barenboim, directing four minutes of Bruckner’s Symphony #9:

The Staatskapelle Berlin is one of the oldest orchestras in the world. Daniel Barenboim has served as its music director since 1992, and in 2000 the orchestra appointed him Chief Conductor for Life.

Here is a thoughtful introduction to Bruckner’s music by Daniel Barenboim:

 

 

And now, for those of you who want to hear the complete work, here is Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No.9, performed by the Wiener Philharmoniker, conducted by Leonard Bernstein:

 

http://youtu.be/UbrpvEZw-Jo

 

Tags: Anton Bruckner, Daniel Barenboim, Staatskapelle Berlin, Symphony No. 9 in D Minor