Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896)
Symphony No. 4 in E flat major (version 1880/1881 - see review) [74:52]
Symphony No. 7 in E major [72.32]
Münchner Philharmoniker/Christian Thielemann
rec. live, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Germany, 2008 (4), 2006 (7)
Sound Format PCM Stereo, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround;
Picture Format 16:9, 1080i; Region 0. Blu-ray
Surround reviewed
C MAJOR 712304 BLU-RAY [74:52 + 72.32]
The "Bruckner Problem" arises immediately because the 4th is labelled "1880/1881
version" which doesn't tally with any official listing I can find. John F.
Berky's definitive abruckner.com website lists this performance as using the
edition "1886 (aka 1878/80) - Ed. Leopold Nowak [1953]". The uncontentious
7th is given as "1885 Version. Ed. Leopold Nowak [1954]".
Having got that settled, onto the Blu-ray disc itself. It has a menu system
that only allows access to titles and sound after choosing your symphony.
I do wonder about this habit. Why not just have a proper contents and settings
list on the opening page? Once again there is music over the menu system,
this time part of the 4th Symphony. It gets more and more irritating as one
uses it, especially so as one checks out the trailers for other issues. Silence
would do nicely thank you Unitel. The picture is satisfactory but not the
sharpest I have seen. The surround sound is excellent as always but listeners
will gain from raising the volume to get both detail and impact. The venue
in Baden-Baden is an unattractive hall as filmed but at least it doesn't draw
ones eye from the orchestra or disturb the sound balance. This last is good
despite the spider's web of microphones and cables festooned all over the
stage. The camerawork is discreet allowing one to watch the conductor and
players without frequent cutting from place to place as sometimes happens.
Christian Thielemann has earned himself quite a reputation for his Bruckner
performances, as the booklet essay emphasizes. Its title "The Art of Controlled
Ecstasy" tells you just what sort of essay it is, as much marketing puff as
information. What it should have contained was the information noted at the
start of this review.
On the strength of these two performances recorded two years apart he deserves
the plaudits. The overriding impression is of breadth. The movement timings
show him to be towards the slower end of the spectrum, particularly in No.4
which ends up even longer than No.7. The broad tempi only add weight and impact
and he does not indulge in abrupt changes of gear. This has not always been
the case and some regard him less favourably than I do. The parallels with
Karajan are clear because he does go for prolonging Bruckner's lines rather
than making him 'craggy', though that does not stop him directing the cellos
and basses to really dig in to some of the motor rhythms of the scherzi. Since
I like Karajan's Bruckner that might explain my satisfaction with this pair
of performances. The orchestra appear satisfied as well. There is a nice moment
in the 7th when some of the violas, momentarily unoccupied, watch and smile
as the cellos play a particularly sonorous passage.
At the end of each work there are little nods of approval between the players.
Thielemann certainly has them with him rather than against him - they watch
him closely. I cannot praise their playing too highly. Incidentally, the violins
are divided, giving lots of nice antiphonal affects.
Dave Billinge
See also review of DVD release by Rob
Maynard
Masterwork Index: Bruckner Symphony 4 ~~ Symphony
7
If you like your Bruckner 'big' then this is for you.
Support us financially by purchasing this disc from |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|