SearchsearchUseruser

Bruckner: Symphony No. 1 - Young

Bruckner: Symphony No. 1 - Young

Oehms Classics  OC 633

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Orchestral


Bruckner: Symphony No. 1 in C minor (first version)

Philharmoniker Hamburg
Simone Young (conductor)


With vol. 5, the Hamburg Philharmonic has concluded its recording of the group of Bruckner symphonies that have been passed down to us in several versions. The First Symphony is a very special case: while numbers 2, 3, 4 and 8 all went through a first revision shortly after they were completed, in the case of the First a quarter of a century passed before the composer set about revising it. And: uniquely among its siblings, the First is mainly performed today in its original form, the Linz version. The “Vienna version” of 1890/91 is heard less frequently.

The Hamburg Bruckner series, recorded live at the Laeiszhalle, has developed into one of the most important cycles and the strength of its interpretive independence is growing through the ongoing collaboration between the orchestra and its composer.

Support this site by purchasing from these vendors using the paid links below.
As an Amazon Associate HRAudio.net earns from qualifying purchases.

bol.com
 
 
Presto

 

Add to your wish list | library

 

7 of 8 recommend this, would you recommend it?  yes | no

All
show
Reviews (1)
show
hide

Review by John Broggio - October 29, 2012

As with Janowski (Bruckner: Symphony No. 1 - Janowski), Young's account is very much cruder in terms of orchestral colour & phrasing than that of Blomstedt and his superb Gewandhausorchester Leipzig (Bruckner: Symphony No. 1 - Blomstedt).

Like Janowski, I suspect much of the reasons for this come down to the hall in which the orchestra resides: although it is not as reverberant as the Victoria Hall in Geneva, the Laeiszhalle in Hamburg in combination with the close-miking to alleviate audience noise intruding into proceedings forces a rather crude response from the Philharmoniker Hamburg.

The actual tempo approach of Young is very similar to that of Blomstedt (most timing differences are due to the relatively lengthy breaks between movements in Leipzig) except in the Finale where she is more relaxed. This finale is not one of Bruckner's finest movements and is arguably the one place where a bit more drive can make the various elements coalesce better. The tonal response that Young obtains from the Hamburg players is rather monochrome, even more than Janowski secures from the OSR and whilst intonation is never in question, the crudeness of attack sometimes is - in concert this make for a visceral & thrilling experience but on repeated listening, it quickly jades this listener.

A sad disappointment after other instalments in this Bruckner cycle.

Copyright © 2012 John Broggio and HRAudio.net

Performance:

Sonics (Multichannel):

stars stars