Bruckner 11: The Complete Symphonies [Blu-ray]

"On the occasion of the Bruckner bicentenary, the Vienna Philharmonic recorded its first ever complete Bruckner cycle with a single conductor, Christian Thielemann. In addition to the well-known canon of nine symphonies, the two earliest Bruckner symphonies in F minor and D minor were also recorded for the first time in the orchestra’s history. This uniquely complete edition from the Musikverein and Salzburg Festival, featuring 11 symphonies also includes extensive conversations with Christian Thielemann about each symphony and insights into his rehearsal work.

“In this audiovisual edition Bruckner 11, the Vienna Philharmonic pays tribute to the symphonic works of the great Austrian composer Anton Bruckner, whose 200th birthday anniversary will be celebrated in 2024. The Vienna Philharmonic, perhaps more than any other ensemble, can look back on a shared history with Bruckner that was shaped by the composer’s great esteem for the orchestra and which was to have a decisive influence on Austrian musical culture. The premiere of the Symphony No. 2, for example, which Bruckner himself conducted in 1873, was a great success and, despite considerable opposition at the time, led to numerous performances and premieres. The close artistic and personal relationship between Anton Bruckner and the Vienna Philharmonic also contributed to the development of an unmistakable “Brucknerian” sound and style of playing which has had an enduring influence on the composer’s legacy up to the present day.This anniversary provides a welcome occasion to celebrate the music of Anton Bruckner. For the first time in our orchestral history we have made a complete recording of all nine symphonies and two of his brilliant yet rarely performed early works with a single conductor. We enjoy a very close artistic partnership and friendship with Christian Thielemann, who is an acknowledged expert on the music of Anton Bruckner and one of the most influential contemporary conductors in this repertoire. In this recording, our long tradition comes alive in both sound and images. We hope it will encourage people to rediscover the treasures of Bruckner’s music, a legacy that the composer bestowed upon present and future generations of music lovers.” Prof. Daniel Froschauer, Chairman of the Wiener Philharmoniker"