Composer: Anton Bruckner
Orchestra: Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Jaap van Zweden
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Challenge
Catalogue: CC72552
Release: 2013
Size: 876 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Symphony No. 6 in A major
01. I. Majestoso
02. II. Adagio. Sehr feierlich
03. III. Scherzo. Nicht schnell – Trio. Langsam
04. IV. Finale. Bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell
Continuing his super audio series of the symphonies of Anton Bruckner, Jaap van Zweden presents the Symphony No. 6 in A major with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in a superb performance that will likely stand the test of time. Van Zweden has had great success with his riveting recordings of Bruckner’s Eighth and Third symphonies, and he has positioned himself as one of the leading Bruckner conductors of his generation, alongside such important figures as Simone Young, Dennis Russell Davies, Marcus Bosch, and Gerd Schaller. Those artists have explored the less familiar original versions of Bruckner’s symphonies, and while van Zweden has largely avoided that trend and conducted editions that are generally regarded as mainstream, there is usually something quirky about the versions he chooses. The Symphony No. 6 underwent an extensive clean-up in the 1990s by Rüdiger Bornhöft, who corrected errors in the previous editions by Robert Haas and Leopold Nowak, so van Zweden’s 2012 recording presents that revision. Even so, this tweaked version of the Sixth is not drastically different from what listeners know from older recordings, so van Zweden’s choice of score may not matter much to any but the most obsessed fans. What does matter, however, is the expressive power of the orchestra and the astonishing clarity and presence of the SACD, which gives the music extraordinary depth and presence. Van Zweden’s talents may have less to do with presenting authentic or scholarly Bruckner than with presenting exciting and memorable Bruckner, and for that, he is hard to beat. With his excellent track record, van Zweden is the conductor to watch, so all of his recordings for Challenge Classics merit attention.
Amsterdam-born Jaap van Zweden has risen rapidly in little more than a decade to become one of today’s most sought-after conductors. He has been Music Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra since 2008, and is also Honorary Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Radio Chamber Philharmonic (having been Chief Conductor from 2005-2011). Appointed at 19 as the youngest concertmaster ever of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, he began his conducting career in 1995 and held the positions of Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra between 1996 and 2000, Chief Conductor of The Hague Philharmonic from 2000 to 2005, and Chief Conductor of the Royal Flemish Philharmonic Orchestra (2008-2011). His recent releases for Challenge Classics have included a live recording with the Netherlands RPO of Britten’s War Requiem (CC72388), and a concert performance of Wagner’s Parsifal (CC72519) which has just won the Edison Award.
Anton Bruckner wrote his Sixth Symphony between 1879 and 1891. Although considered by many to be one of his least successful works, it is still full of rich, individual expression and was a favourite of the great British composer and music critic Robert Simpson.