Ciaran wrote:Abbado and the Berlin Phil have often been chosen in surveys, and I find them thrillingly enjoyable.
Abbado´s is the finest modern 3rd available, followed by Harnoncourt and Berglund.
Abbado was unlucky with the 1st and 4rd symphonies, but the 2nd and most especially the 3rd are truly exceptional.
I've quite liked Harnoncourt with Bruckner based on limited hearing, just the 4th, 8th and 9th, though I think he takes the 9th a little fast. A few modestly priced offers are available on Amazon so I'll try the 3 & 4.
And Mackerras. I've listened to a few of his efforts with various orchestras - certainly liked his Scheherezade (not enough to displace the Beecham decordings I have!) so I might give his a go.
It'll be interesting to listen to their readings of the 4th. I'm probably in a rut with that, having long favoured the Kleiber, still....
I'll keep watch for the remaining suggestions - who knows? I might just get converted to this Symphony that so far has fulfilled bombasticDarren's appraisal of it often falling flat!
