If you like Bruckner’s Fourth and admire absolutely glorious sound (from about 1978), try to find Karl Böhm’s amazing Decca account with the Vienna Philharmonic on Decca LPs.
Every other vinyl recording manages to squeeze the work onto the two sides of one LP - there are great accounts from the likes of Karajan, Haitink and Jochum (who each recorded the symphony multiple times over their careers with various orchestras for different labels).
Decca must have made a conscious decision to stretch the symphony on to four LP sides, with each of the four movements having one whole LP side. The sonics, in Decca’s best analogue sound from their engineers’ favourite recording venue, the Sofiensaal in Vienna (now demolished, I think) make this one of the very best music recordings that I own - just as good as the sound of the same orchestra in the same hall as on the legendary recording of Wagner’s ‘Ring’ under Georg Solti.
So, do rush out and get the Bruckner Fourth. But don’t get the Solti ‘Ring’ just yet (if you’re at all interested), as Decca are just about to re-release the whole thing again, for the umpteenth time, starting later this month: see the Decca website for details.
Not yet, but I probably will when he has sorted a lift-lower - he is just up the road. For all the comment you could possibly want, you could look at the PFM thread.
I’ve seen and read the pink thread but was hoping you might have been to see and hear one.
I was intending to ask my dealer when I inevitably see him soon, if he would fit one or if he has seen one.
I’m keen to try one but need to KRad2 first.
Designer Richard is keen to help of course, and I am less put off than some would be by the appearance and the piece of string currently used as the finger-lift. However, I am trying to exercise a smidgeon of discipline over the whole turntable thing - if the right answer is to swap LP12 for Vertere MG-1 or Brinkmann Bardo, then LP12 tonearm issues will be a lot less relevant than I had thought.
Thanks for the response Nick. I actually quite like the looks and the string doesn’t put me off either. They are all supplied with a normal finger lift though, so no need to fret about the string.
It sounds like you have some fun times ahead working out which direction to go. Trust your ears and enjoy the journey, whatever the destination.
Thanks for the tip Graham. Discogs came up trumps with an NM copy that looks like it really is NM. It’s in the Humminguru cleaner right now, but I’ll give it a listen tonight via my own new TKR.
I think that it’s one of the best recordings that Böhm made, along with his beautiful Vienna performance of Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony (DGG) from the mid-1970s. You get the feeling of a strong mutual attraction between Böhm and the orchestra, although he was never designated their ‘chief’ conductor (they have never appointed anyone to that position).
And it’s splendid to have it on 2LPs with one movement per side, which allows the whole thing to proceed with no hint of distortion. You’ll love it, as long as you play it very loud!
Well, that’s truly remarkable! What I wouldn’t give to be able to cue up both right away, the Beethoven first, I think.
Yes, that’s the very Beethoven LP that I was thinking of. Has the LP been axed from DGG’s catalogue?
I’d be interested to hear how you get on with both, there’s a heck of a lot more bottom weight to the Bruckner (and some conductors are capable of making the whole thing sound very turgid, but Böhm doesn’t do that).
If you enjoy the Bruckner, you might try to find Böhm’s recording of the Seventh and Eighth Symphonies, made a little bit later, also in Vienna with the Philharmonic. This used to be on a 3LP box from DGG, but - as I noted above - they don’t seem to be good at keeping these older recordings in their catalogue.
Given the performance of the MG-1 (mostly excellent but with a couple of big 'but’s) and the actual cost of that and Bardo, and the performance of the s/h Stiletto, and my desire to avoid the ever-better-turntable price escalator I could see opening before me…
I am buying the Stiletto. That already has an Ekos 1 (and Radikal, Kleos etc), so the idea of trying a Supatrac as an alternative has not vanished. However, it will take time for me to get used to the Stiletto, and I will be off to Tasmania in just over a month.
I reckon my even hearing a Supatrac won’t happen until 2023. That is not however ‘never’.
Well congratulations on the Stiletto, I’m sure it will be a real step up and bring you many hours of enjoyment.
I would think any further symptoms of upgraditis will dissipate once the Stiletto is installed. Take your time and enjoy what you have.
Enjoy the trip to Tasmania and don’t forget to bring us all a stick of rock
Cradle Mountain is another distillery worth pursuing among the many. However, given the forum we are using, I should also mention Corra Linn for the name alone.
Also, for a laugh, look up what happened to Nant. Does anyone remember the film ‘The Producers’?
Enjoyed the Bohm Beethoven 6 Graham, but still a DG recording and I just don’t think their engineers did as good a job as Decca (or EMI). My favourite remains Monteux/VPO on Decca. Good condition versions are plentiful on Discogs for little money. Recommended.