Composer: Anton Bruckner
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Bernard Haitink
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Alto
Catalogue: ALC1358
Release: 2018
Size: 269 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Symphony No. 4 in Eb Major ‘Romantic’ (1878 Nowak edition; 1880 Finale)
01. I. Bewegt, nicht zu schnell20:33
02. II. Andante quasi Allegretto15:07
03. III. Scherzo. Bewegt – Trio: Nicht zu schnell. Keinesfalls schleppend11:11
04. IV. Finale: Bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell
Although one might initially ask what a new recording could possibly add…such questions are immediately answered by the resplendent horn playing of David Pyatt, set against a wonderfully shimmering string background, played truly ppp as marked. Indeed, the horns are magnificent throughout…[Haitink] provides a masterclass in how to achieve a weighty sound without ever allowing the texture to become muddy.
The LSO’s principal horn here sets down a wonderful opening benchmark for what follows…Haitink’s conducting is a masterclass in the art of control while appearing to stand back and let everyone play their best…the whole impressive structure hangs unerringly together…This version easily holds its own with the best
The finale comes off best, with well-integrated tempi, a patient but impressive initial build-up and very good sound. It’s a worthy, well-judged performance but with so much strong competition around (not least from Haitink himself) doesn’t quite make the shortlist of top recommendations.
The Dutch maestro takes a less energetic approach to the Bruckner Fourth Symphony than is currently fashionable, but there’s a breadth and depth to his live performance with the London Symphony Orchestra that matches the long-limned evolution of the music, and the LSO is in top form.