Prom 70: 6.09.16 - Staatskapelle Berlin and Daniel Barenboim

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:30 Tuesday 6 Sep 2016
Royal Albert Hall

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto No 22 in E flat major
Anton Bruckner: Symphony No 6 in A major

Staatskapelle Berlin
Daniel Barenboim piano/director

Bruckner, but not as we know him. In the Sixth Symphony, gone is the composer's typical heft, his long-drawn crescendos and his archetypal brooding introduction. Instead, this symphony gallops into life, crackling with vitality. Bruckner's rich and individual Sixth Symphony is heard in the second of the Staatskapelle Berlin's two Proms after a piano concerto by Mozart that boasts similar rarity and individuality.
Mozart's sparkling Piano Concerto No. 26 was performed by the composer in Frankfurt during festivities in 1790 for the coronation of Leopold II as Holy Roman Emperor; tonight Daniel Barenboim gives its first Proms performance for over 40 years.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07sxsd4

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've never heard Bruckner 6 in its entirety. I have the Furtwangler recording - the one famously with a missing movement.

[Nick Armstrong]

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've never heard Bruckner 6 in its entirety.

It's fantastic, Sawallisch on Orfeo for me - but I've never heard it live. Can't wait!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

It's fantastic, Sawallisch on Orfeo for me - but I've never heard it live. Can't wait!

Oddly enough (as it's one of the least rarely performed), it's the Bruckner Symphony I've heard most frequently Live - twice: Loughran & the Hallé (Leeds Town Hall, 1981, coupled with the Lutoslawski Double Concerto); and Esa-Pekka Solonen/Philharmonia (RFH, 1985 - with Debussy's Faun and the Bartok Third Piano Concerto - sat next to the future Not-Mrs fhg). Which means that I haven't heard it Live in over thirty years

[richardfinegold]

skworecezki (sp?) on a budget recording with a German Radio Orchestra

[Petrushka]

I've heard Bruckner 6 live just once when Chailly and the Concertgebouw brought it to Birmingham around 1998.

If last night's account of the 4th is anything to go by we are in for a real treat.

[BBMmk2]

I have never been taken by this symphony. Just doesn't seem to work for me.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

skworecezki (sp?) on a budget recording with a German Radio Orchestra

Probably that fine brucknerian Stanisław Skrowaczewski with the Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra (not just "a German radio orchestra") on Arte Nova? Well worth having.

[Nick Armstrong]

I have never been taken by this symphony. Just doesn't seem to work for me.

I heard the Klemperer first, and had the same reaction.

Then I heard this version: http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Orfeo/C024821A

It clicked! Recommended!

Let's see what Mr Barenboim makes of it - can't wait, esp judging from Petrushka's ear-witness account of last night's No 4 !

[Prommer]

I have never been taken by this symphony. Just doesn't seem to work for me.

I tend to agree, but then I heard Thielemann do it in Dresden (this year or last), and clickage occurred.

[P. G. Tipps]

Never had a problem with it!

In many ways this is Bruckner's most confident-sounding later work, a first movement that just swings along to its eventual (and quite sudden and unexpected) conclusion, though some conductors take it too fast instead of letting it glide along naturally, à la Solti and the Chicago. Will be interesting to see how Danny approaches it. Throw in an almost unbearably beautiful slow movement and a catchy and relatively concise scherzo and there is little not to like.

The Finale is excellent as well though I think this symphony probably suffers because the conclusion is maybe not quite as effective. as you will find in the other completed symphonies.

I cannot think of any other reason why this delightful work has been so comparatively neglected. For me it's like a rollicking good yarn set to music ... it is almost if the composer decided to take a short break from the heavy, monumental stuff.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

The Finale is excellent as well though I think this symphony probably suffers because the conclusion is maybe not quite as effective. as you will find in the other completed symphonies.

Sticking head above parapet here, I find the finale of 6 much more satisfactory than that of 7, all that silly stop-start dotted-rhythm stuff interspersed with chorales that aren't exactly among AB's most inspired creations. Now, if AB had given up on 7 and finished 9 properly instead...

[Padraig]

Will be interesting to see how Danny approaches it.

I take it that you are on familiar terms with Maestro Barenboim Patrick Gerard?
A really good post. It reminds me of a former Bruckner enthusiast who used to wax lyrical, even aggressively so at times, about one symphony or other. Here is an excellent blueprint for listening to encourage someone like me to have another go.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

a former Bruckner enthusiast

Presumably deceased? That would be the only way to account for the "former".

[Bryn]

Presumably deceased? That would be the only way to account for the "former".

Not at all. To me it implies enthusiasm for Bruckner's early works.