Autumn Classical Highlights: Bruckner 4 x 3.....

[jayne lee wilson]

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[jayne lee wilson]

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Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 in E-Flat Major, WAB 104 "Romantic" (The 3 Versions).
Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, Jakub Hrusa
Released on 17/09/2021 by Accentus Music
CDs/Qobuz 24/96.


Living with this set for two weeks now and I’m completely absorbed in it. I won't try to claim any of the performances are the best of each version (I'm not sure I could make a such a choice anyway, or even name a top three), but they are all very good, engagingly warm and tonally appealing, and hearing all three played by the same band in the same fine acoustic proved deeply instructive…..

Perhaps partly because of the revised orchestration in this new Korstvedt Edition, this 1874 4th is the warmest, most melodically approachable one I’ve heard, and really does now seem to be a valid Bruckner Symphony in its own right (like the 1873 3rd). I love it more and more, and keep going back to it.
It flows more smoothly than previous readings, so all those highly wrought contrapuntal lines make much better sense, and the finale is astounding: as Korstvedt says in his authoritative note to his new edition, it has a mercurial and fantastical character quite different from 1880 or 1888, which comes through thrillingly here. Every Brucknerian should know it!

***
There is a 4th disc of comparative 1878/80 excerpts including the 1878 “Volksfest” finale, which Bruckner rewrote extensively for the familiar 1880 version. It is very different from the latter, but again essential listening for all devotees, and beautifully done here. This is especially important considering how many Brucknerians feel a shade disappointed by the familiar 1880 finale compared to its earlier movements.. Listening closely to 1878, but especially 1874 and 1888, you may feel that Bruckner creates even more successful structures in those very distinct creations, than in the well-known one.

(The problem with 1888 is the diminuendo at the end of the first scherzo, and the sharp cut in its repeat; these haven’t worn well; a pity, given the fresh beauties of orchestration throughout, and the finale’s greater drama and continuity. This is the version favoured by Knappertsbush and Furtwangler - but Furtwangler restored the scherzo cuts…)

A wonderful set, which will keep occupying my attentions for weeks to come….

[BBMmk2]

JLW, saw that and have been debating.

Dvorak
Overtures, Symphonic Poems.
London Symphony Orchestra
Istvan Kertesz.