Composer: Anton Bruckner
Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Daniel Barenboim
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks+cue)
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Size: 629 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
# Symphony No. 4 in E flat (“Romantic”), WAB 104 (various versions)
Composed by Anton Bruckner
Performed by Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Daniel Barenboim
# Symphony No. 7 in E major (“Lyric”), WAB 107
Composed by Anton Bruckner
Performed by Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Daniel Barenboim
CD 01
01. Symphony No.4 In E Flat Major – ”Romantic” – Haas Edition – 1. Bewegt, Nicht Zu Schnell
02. Symphony No.4 In E Flat Major – ”Romantic” – Haas Edition – 2. Andante Quasi Allegretto
03. Symphony No.4 In E Flat Major – ”Romantic” – Haas Edition – 3. Scherzo: Bewegt
04. Symphony No.4 In E Flat Major – ”Romantic” – Haas Edition – 4. Finale: Bewegt, Doch Nicht Zu Schnell
CD 02
01. Symphony No.7 In E Major – 1. Allegro Moderato
02. Symphony No.7 In E Major – 2. Adagio (Sehr Feierlich Und Sehr Langsam)
03. Symphony No.7 In E Major – 3. Scherzo (Sehr Schnell)
04. Symphony No.7 In E Major – 4. Finale (Bewegt, Doch Nicht Schnell)
Barenboim’s 1990s Berlin Philharmonic recordings boast better sound and more experience as a conductor…
Daniel Barenboim recorded all 9 Bruckner Symphonies with the Chicago Symphony (1972-81), beginning with number 4 presented here. Both Symphony 4 and Symphony 7 as presented here are a young man’s recording; Barenboim was just 30 years old when he recorded Symphony 4!
These are very good, but youthful interpretations. The Chicago Symphony is excellent and well served by DG’s recordings, but the bass frequencies are rather light. Chicago’s sound, with strong, muscular brass sections which tend to cut through the string textures, does not serve Bruckner as well as other orchestras do: Barenboim’s own Berlin Philharmonic recordings from the 1990s (Teldec, released as a set on Warner Classics in the early 2000s). I personally prefer Barenboim/Berlin over these Chicago DG recordings, but will be hearing the Chicago DGs again.
I would say Chicago’s brass sound serves Mahler, Wagner, or Richard Strauss better than Bruckner, where blend is more important, rather like the blended diapasons, flutes, and reeds of a great pipe organ.I have too many favorites to give Barenboim/Chicago a more positive review: for 4: Bohm/Vienna Philharmonic (Decca, 1973); Janowski/Philharmonic orchestra of Radio France (Virgin Classics, 1990); Ormandy/Philadelphia (Sony, 1967); Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic (EMI, 1971). For Bruckner 7: Bohm/Vienna (DG, 1977); Karajan/Berlin (EMI, 1971); Eichhorn/Linz (Camerata, 1987). OR: Barenboim’s own Berlin Philharmonic recordings (Teldec, or Warner Classics).
If you are a Chicago Symphony or Daniel Barenboim fan, you won’t be disappointed with this. I just have other preferences.
thanks