Bruckner: Symphonies Nos. 1–9

Bruckner's nine symphonies are a staple of the repertoire of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (as they are of all major orchestras). The special feature of this 9-CD box set now presented by BR Klassik is that the recordings are conducted not by one, but by a total of four conductors who are closely associated with the orchestra – and who are all considered international Bruckner experts. As with no other compilation, the similarities in interpretation (also due in part to the same orchestra) can be seen here just as clearly as the differences that may be due to the respective conductor's different interpretive approaches. It also becomes clear how much Herbert Blomstedt, Bernard Haitink, Mariss Jansons and Lorin Maazel have devoted themselves to Bruckner's symphonic music over the course of the decades (the recordings were made between 1999 and 2017). The recording of the 9th Symphony under Herbert Blomstedt from 2009 had not been published before; the recordings of the 3rd and 4th Symphonies under Mariss Jansons had hitherto been reserved for a small circle of subscribers and were not officially available in stores. BR Klassik is marking the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra's round birthday this year with this box set. Undoubtedly a reason to celebrate!