Composer: Anton Bruckner
Orchestra: Champs Elysees Orchestra
Conductor: Philippe Herreweghe
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: FLAC (image+cue)
Label: Harmonia Mundi
Size: 285 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Symphony No. 7 in E major (“Lyric”), WAB 107
Composed by Anton Bruckner
Performed by Champs Elysees Orchestra
Conducted by Philippe Herreweghe
01. Allegro moderato
02. Adagio. Sehr feierlich und sehr langsam
03. Scherzo. Sehr schnell
04. Finale. Bewegt doch nicht schnell
Surprise, Surprise: A historically correct Winner!
Oh Boy! “Historically Informed Bruckner” – just what we needed, right? Seriously: after Roger Norrington suggesting to play Mahler without vibrato (historically correct as that may be), this seemed to be just about the next-dumbest idea. But unlike the recent and highly unnecessary Bruckner recordings of Messrs. Eschenbach and Nagano, this is actually rather a delight. Smaller forces, original instruments (gut strings and all) make for a very clean, crisp sound. Clocking in at exactly an hour, this 7th – sans cymbal crash in the Adagio – has a sheen that puts it above many conventional rivals that pander too much to the clichés of Bruckner-performance. Among modern versions it stands up to Rattle and Harnoncourt – and while I reserve a special place in my heart for G. Wand’s and E. Jochum’s recordings, this live performance is good enough even to make a first choice.
Thank you!