Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896)
Symphony no. 6 in A Major (1881)
SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg/Sylvain Cambreling
rec. Konzerthaus, Freiburg, 16-23 January 1998. DDD
GLOR CLASSICS GC09241 [52:45]
This is a great Bruckner 6. It is one of three Bruckner recordings from Cambreling
and the SWR Baden-Baden und Freiburg Orchester. The others, symphonies 4 and
9, both have their merits, but this Sixth is the best of them. Cambreling
is a very solemn Brucknerian, which can lead to excessive dourness elsewhere,
but here gives a welcome sense of conviction and purpose.
The opening is a case in point. Those trumpet fanfares a few pages in give
lighter textures than in many of Bruckner’s expositions – still not light
as such, but light for Bruckner. Cambreling maintains a clarity of texture
throughout all these brass passages, and in the following sections of interplay
between the woodwind and the strings. But he also maintains a keen sense of
purpose throughout, so the music has all the solemnity of the Eighth or Ninth
symphonies’ first movements, which combines well with the clearer textures
of the Sixth’s lighter scoring.
My one complaint is with the lack of atmosphere in the quieter sections. That
focus on direction and purpose often means that Cambreling takes an excessively
functional approach to the quieter music. This is most apparent in the middle
movements. The Adagio is slightly faster than other recordings I’ve heard,
but considerably more four-square. It is a controlled, almost calculated,
reading with little very little rubato. And the caesura breathing spaces between
the phrases often feel slightly rushed. On the other hand, the conductor’s
tight control of the ensemble allows him to create chamber music precision
in the woodwind ensemble passages.
The Scherzo also risks being too matter of fact. This is the one movement
where Cambreling’s solemnity becomes counter-productive. It is one of the
few movements in Bruckner where a sense of humour is required to pull off
the extreme contrasts between will-o-the-wisp woodwind and farcically bombastic
brass. Cambreling doesn’t see it that way all, and presents the movement as
if it were the Scherzo of the Ninth, all weight and drive.
These are small complaints though. Cambreling’s interpretation is both coherent
and passionate, essential properties that are all too rare among Bruckner
interpreters. He also has a real ear for detail. He, the orchestra and the
recording team should all be congratulated for the crispness of the sound
and the extent to which details of the score are articulated. Going back to
the Scherzo, the interplay of the raindrop descending figures between the
flute and the pizzicato strings is excellent, evenly balanced yet timbrally
distinct, a delight! I’m also impressed with the bass in the mix, with the
lower strings, the lower brass and the timpani coming through with crisp precision,
and with the power and weight that Cambreling’s focused interpretation requires.
The orchestra must know this piece like the back of their hands, but they
really keep it fresh, and the playing of every section stands up well to the
scrutiny of the superior audio.
So what next for Cambreling and his SWR forces? This recording demonstrates
a distinctive and passionate approach to Bruckner’s music, both sensitive
to its Romantic expression and keenly aware of its need for architectural
structuring. How about a recording of the Fifth Symphony; that could be a
real triumph.
Gavin Dixon