Bruckner: Sacred Works

 

For some reason, I could not find this 2016 4CD set on Amazon today. Too bad, for it is a formidable set.

All three Masses are included, plus a major Psalm setting and Te Deum for orchestra and chorus. Add to that, a handful of a cappella motets.

Eugen Jochum leads the proceedings with authority across the board. Some might find the large symphonic chorus too big for the a cappella motets, but somehow Jochum makes it work all the same.

Plus, there is a who's who of soloists present amongst the Masses, ones recorded from the 60s and 70s. I do not believe this grouping of performances was ever remastered, and it could use it, but these sound pretty darn good all them same.

A review from 2023

Oddly, there isn’t quite a collection like this on the market - Anton Bruckner’s three symphonic masses, plus his Te Deum and Psalm 150 also with orchestra, are generously coupled with 10 of the (mostly) a cappella motets. German conductor Eugen Jochum leads them all, mostly from the early 70’s.

Jochum has a number of cycles of Bruckner’s symphonies on record, and he leads the masses in much the same manner. The large symphonic masses are full of theatricality and religious ecstasy, not to mention leaning towards the mystical in Bruckner. It says something about Jochum’s relationship and vision with Bruckner’s music that he also leads the motets, works of divine, and often subtle, spirituality.

The big news here is the wonderful Bavarian Radio Chorus. They are of an old-fashioned singing style, prepare for vibrato, but not as gratingly wobbly as the Vienna Singverein or StaatsOpernChor with Karajan and Mehta (listen to the divine end of the Kyrie for comparison). Jochum by and far gets the most from this chorus - the dynamic gradations between p and pp are simply haunting, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, their difference between f and ff is mighty thrilling! While the wide dynamic range is terrific, their expressiveness with text and attention to articulation are details you just don’t hear any more in these large symphonic choral works. Outstanding!

The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra is a boon, but DG rightfully puts the chorus upfront, hearing all of the choral parts easily, while still picking up orchestral solos and doublings with equal ease. The winds might be a bit too far behind the singers in Mass No. 2 in e minor, but that is a work that focuses mostly on the voices anyway. The organ really only pops up to punctuate moments, but is audible.

I would say Mass 1 & 3 are still reference performances from Jochum, while Psalm 150, and moreso, the Te Deum are on-the-edge-of-your-seat exciting, verging towards coarseness. Nowadays, it might seem antithetical to have a large symphonic chorus singing Bruckner’s motets. They are usually reserved for the straight-toned chamber choirs, but Jochum makes a solid case. He is able to sustain the long, multi-measured crescendos so effectively, and Bruckner’s sudden dynamic changes are mighty here.  Still I would understand some wanting a modern approach, and Mass No. 2’s tight harmonies might bear brighter fruit with a more transparent choral sound, while Jochum’s tempos in the E Minor Mass could use a goosing.

But I am very enthusiastic over this entire set regardless. As far as I can tell there has been no new remastering with this set, but it sounds very good to me. The 60’s recordings are noticeably older sounding; a slight hiss and the loudest portions sound bright, but nothing off-putting for me. There are other mass sets: Matthew Best’s on Hyperion is too reserved and cathedral bound for my tastes, but might appeal to others, and Nicol Matt on Brilliant is drearily slow. Neither include everything that is provided together in this Jochum set.

Works
Mass 1 in D minor, WAB 26
Mass 2 in E minor, WAB 27
Mass 3 in F minor, WAB 28
Te Deum, WAB 45
Psalm 150, WAB 38

Afferentur Regi, WAB 1
Ave Maria, WAB 5
Christus Factus Est, WAB 11
Ecca Saecerdos Magnus, WAB 13
Locus Iste, WAB 23
Os Justi, WAB 30
Pange Lingua, WAB 31
Tota Pulchra Es, WAB 46
Vexilla Regis, WAB 51
Virga Jesse, WAB 52

Soloists
Edith Mathis, soprano
Maria Stader, soprano
Marga Schmil, contralto
Claudia Hellmann, contralto
Sieglinde Wagner, contralto
Wiesław Ochman, tenor
Ernst Haefliger, tenor
Richard Holm, tenor
Karl Ridderbusch, bass
Kim Borg, bass
Peter Lagger, bass

Performers
Bavarian Radio Choir
Berlin Opera Chorus (WAB 45)
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (WAB 45)
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Eugen Jochum, conductor

Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Year: 1963-72; 2016
Total Timing: 3.47.18
  CD1: 54.49
  CD2: 56.19
  CD3: 66.51
  CD4: 47.26

A set of Bruckner's choral/orchestral music which has hardly been bettered, at least in its totality.

Unfortunately, it seems this box set has fallen off the face of the internet, although I am sure there should be hidey-holes to find it yet.

An important acquisition for all Bruckner listeners!

 

 

 

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