The reappearance of this DG set means that once again both of Eugen Jochum’s Bruckner symphony cycles are available at the same price level. The EMI cycle was recorded in 1975-80 with the Dresden Staatskapelle, while DG’s was taped primarily in the 1960s with the Bavarian Radio Symphony and the Berlin Philharmonic. There’s little to choose between the two interpretively, as Jochum pretty much maintained his individualistic approach to Bruckner throughout his career. So, take away the uniquely burnished tones of the Dresden brass and for the most part you’ve got two identical cycles (type Q2340 in Search Reviews for a detailed appraisal of the EMI set, as released by Musical Heritage Society).
There are some exceptions, however. The Berlin Fourth and Eighth are more incisive and engaging performances (with the Eighth receiving far superior recorded sound), while the Fourth is one of the finest in the catalog. On the other hand, the Dresden Seventh is more expansive and transcendent, while Jochum’s darkly dramatic Dresden Ninth is considered to be a classic. DG’s recordings wear quite well (only the 1958 Fifth betrays its age through tape hiss and limited dynamics) with a brighter, sharper sound overall than EMI’s (which compensates with greater depth and presence). Frankly, it’s difficult to choose between the two editions. But either way you go, Jochum’s work is too important not to be in every Bruckner lover’s collection, and at budget price there’s little reason for it not to be.
