Search - Bruckner, Skrowaczewski :: Bruckner: Symphony No. 5

Another favorite Bruckner recording from these forces...

Gregory M. Zinkl | Chicago, IL | 04/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had the privilege of comparing three remarkable performances of this score--at least the fourth movement, by far my favorite part of this incredible piece. Make that four, but that fourth one--an unfortunate outing with Dohnanyi and Cleveland on Decca, is a cold and sterile affair. Despite my love of that orchestra and great appreciation of Dohnanyi's work, that performance actually drove me *away* from this score!Anyway, back to the comparisons. Contenders: Jochum's 1964 recording with the Concertgebouw, recently reissued on Philips, this recording, and a live broadcast of Scherchen with Stuttgart Radio on Arkadia. These three performances are all excellent--and different.First category: sound. Scherchen, as he (alas) so often does, loses. By far. Jochum is gorgeous analog, BUT, Skrow is gorgeous digital (digital is not always my preferred). Point Skrow.Second category: orchestras. Scherchen again, as he (alas) so often does, loses. The Concertgebouw is its usual incredible self. Saarbrucken for Skrow is also a gorgeous instrument. Surprise: tie Jochum and Skrow.Third category: Interpretation. Well, it's a three way tie, for the most part, but for me, IV will determine the winner. Point Skrow.Jochum, as he is so good at, makes Bruckner's music flow. It sounds so inevitable, beautiful, exciting, interesting, etc. In I, he does surpass Skrow, especially in the introduction, and that first transition.However, in IV, Skrow and Saarbrucken take the prize: the end of the finale is breathtaking, both in excitement and just pure beauty. I also prefer how he balances his various instrumental choirs and soloists. For example, you NEVER lose the musical thread and argument. In Jochum--and Scherchen--sometimes that argument is muted. The closing pages, though, Skrow gives you other-worldly transcendance. All those themes so masterly composed together, are performed so magically! When the final chord sounds, I feel like nothing else needs be said. We have heard it all.This symphony was a favorite of Jochum's, so I'm eager to collect the rest of his recorded output (at least one on Tahra, DG, and EMI; I bet there are more lying around). But, wow, this performance will more than suffice if you want only one recording in your library."

Excellent Bruckner 5th

Gregory M. Zinkl | 05/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Skrowaczewski imparts a spiritual dimension to Bruckner that I often find lacking, especially in the 5th symphony. He takes a freer approach to tempo relationships in the first movement than one hears with many other conductors. I love his overall approach to structure and surface details, but the most interesting aspect to me is his attention to the details of articulation, particularly in the brass parts. This is my current first choice for performance in a crowded field of wonderful recordings of this symphony, and its quality of sound is fabulous."

Skrowaczewski's Bruckner 5th

Gregory M. Zinkl | 04/01/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"An excellent value, compares favorably to much more expensive versions. This is a long, rather rambling work and "Skow" manages to hold it together very well. The sound quality is also good."