Bruckner: Requiem

 

Reading my review from below, it seems my main problem with this recording of Anton Bruckner's Requiem is the period orchestra. If you enjoy HIP influenced sounds, this would be a no-brainer.

And such an approach wouldn't be completely out of place, for early Bruckner follows the styles of early Romanticism and Classical models rather than his more well known late-Romantic tendencies in his symphonies. This performance approach just isn't for me.

The singing, on the other hand, is excellent across the board, as is usually the case with the RIAS Chamber Choir. They continue past the Requiem into the composer's a cappella Aequales and Funeral Music, ones not too often found together on record.

A review from 2023

Anton Bruckner’s Requiem, much like his early Missa Solemnis, shows a young composer following the models of Haydn, Mozart, and Schubert. Far away from his later symphonic masses the Requiem is, and its scoring for strings, trombones, and a solo horn makes its scope more intimate in flavour.

This is a wonderful performance of the Requiem; it is propulsive and dramatic, yet retains its spiritual intent. My problem lies in the period-instrument orchestra; the strings sound steely and sterile making Bruckner sound like Schütz, Vivaldi, or Bach, where I would prefer warmth and weight. This is compounded by Bruckner's rather old-fashioned pipe organ continuo. Make no mistake though; this is finely performed, and the soloists are adequate to the task, the baritone leading the charge.

The singing by the RIAS Chamber Choir is excellent throughout, and that continues into the 10 pieces of funeral music. A mix of a cappella choir, alongside accompaniment from trombones or organ, give these rarer works a feeling of Bruckner’s divine Latin Motets. The three trombone Aequales are unusual, yet oddly mix well with the choral music.

Matthew Best on Hyperion remains the best option for Bruckner’s Requiem for me, even though Corydon is still too reserved for this music. If you can find it, Jürgen Jürgens and Friedrich Wolf have an old school warmth and spirituality that is different than most, but remain on LP as far as I am aware.

A light recommendation, but those who enjoy the HIP orchestral movement might enjoy this much more than me. If that is the case, Borowicz and these same performers issued Bruckner’s Missa Solemnis, also on Accentus.

 

 

 

Works
Requiem, WAB 39
Libera Me, WAB 21
Libera Me, WAB 29
Aequale, WAB 114
Aequale, WAB 149
Am Grabe, WAB 2
Totenlied, WAB 47 no. 1
Totenlied, WAB 47 no. 2
Vor Arneth's Grab, WAB 53
Trosterin Musik, WAB 81b

Soloists
Johanna Winkel, soprano
Sophie Harmsen, alto
Michael Feyfar, tenor
Ludwig Mittelhammer, bass

Performers
RIAS Chamber Choir
Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin
Łukasz Borowicz, conductor

Label: Accentus
Year: 2018
Total Timing: 56.11

 

 

 

I have enjoyed exploring early Bruckner, both vocal and instrumental.

However, my enthusiasm halts with HIP influence upon the music of Bruckner. Give me a modern orchestra and I'm happy. Not so here. Your view may differ.

Should I mention the hard to read back cover of this recording?

 

 

 

 

Find more Bruckner recordings HERE!