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In the Forum: Musical Discussions
In the Thread: Bruckner Ninth and the War.
Post Subject: Sigmund von Hausegger with Munich from 1938Posted by Romy the Cat on: 4/22/2006

 clarkjohnsen wrote:
One recording that you must become familiar with: Sigmund von Hausegger and the Munich Philharmonic (1938). It was the first, and followed (be a few years) that conductor's famous concert of two Bruckner Ninths -- Lowe's and Bruckner's. The former has scarce been heard of since. The performance is unsentimental and surprisingly fleet of foot. As it happens, I have a set of superb Victor pressings that sound far better than any LP or CD dub -- as per usual.
Clark, I have found the Bruckner Nine from April 1938 with Munich Philharmonic lead by Sigmund von Hausegger. It was released by Austrian company Preiser Records, Otto G. Preiser & Co GmbH.

http://www.preiserrecords.at/2/aboutus.php

I was listening the recoding this morning. The transfer is very-very high quality, unexpectedly good; noise is filtered but very tastefully. Although I do like the von Hausegger’s version… hold on. I would not say that I like it but rather I do not hate it. Still it is not how I would like Bruckner Nine be played. The Munich Philharmonic is too elastic and too lush for this symphony. von Hausegger’s reading is too musical and too playful. It more sounds to me like polka dances of like the Tchaikovsky ballets then the Bruckner’s sound that I call “accordion accompanied stones in a drier”. After the WW2's Bruckner, the von Hausegger’s Bruckner sound overly melodic and almost blended. I think this reading would be very fine for Brahms but not for Bruckner. Well, I have to admit that that last moment was kind of nice if it were not followed the second movement that was “not there”.

Still, altogether is it very-very impressive and VERY non-annoying sound….from 1938

Rgs,
Romy

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