Search - Anton Bruckner, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 (with the Documentation of the Finale Fragment) [Hybrid SACD]

Harnoncourt roars, but Wildner rages

Neil E. Schore | Davis, CA USA | 01/04/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As the other reviewers note, this release is essential for anyone interested in this work, for the workshop and documentation of the currently surviving material from the final movement of the symphony. Another important aspect of the release is the use of a new "critical edition" of the initial three movements of Bruckner's 9th, which contains a number of very evident modifications, particularly in orchestration. All the same, it is a concert recording, and, at least in the usual CD format, balances aren't always optimal, trumpets and trombones often too forward, at the expense of the Vienna Phil's strings and (especially) glorious horn section, and timpani are somewhat reticent, especially in the first movement. Harnoncourt also tends to push a bit hard, lacking the natural plasticity in tempo that marks the greatest performances of the first three movements of this work. The impression is one of roaring power, building and receding throughout. Of the 4th movement sketches, Harnoncourt plays exactly what survives, except he omits the 50-odd bars of three coda fragments that have turned up.Just a few months ago, a recording of the 9th including a reconstruction/completion of the 4th movement, based on the same body of fragments and sketches (including the coda) and prepared by the same editors, was released on Naxos(8.555933-34). The orchestra is the New Philharmonia of Westphalia (Germany) and the conductor is Johannes Wildner. Now, finally, we can hear this work in a form tantalizingly close to the way Bruckner intended. Furthermore, unlike Harnoncourt's Vienna Phil performance, Wildner and his astonishiingly capable Westphalians present what I can only describe as a ferocious performance, with horns and timpani cutting through the fabric of the orchestra at key points, and effectively flexible tempos. It's a performance unlike any I've heard since Furtwangler's furious and terrifying recording made in Berlin during the darkest days of World War II. If you've gotten the Harnoncourt (or even if you haven't), you have to get the Wildner, too.As an aside, these recordings render superfluous the 1986 Chandos recording by Yoav Talmi and the Oslo Phil of a 4-movement version of Bruckner's 9th. That documented a brave effort by William Carragan to reconstruct a finale. Unfortunately he had barely 3/4 of the body of sketches to work with that we have now, and nothing of the coda at all."

Not the Last Word

kakistocracy | Omaha, NE United States | 11/12/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
In his talk on the second disc, Harnoncourt asserts that Bruckner essentially completed the 4th Movement, except for the orchestration, and that the missing (numbered) pages of the manuscript were probably taken as curios or momentos by admirers shortly after his death. The commentary and 4th Movement excerpts are fascinating, leading to the impression that this incredible masterpiece is even more so than we had the temerity to believe.



The live performance of the torso (a new critical edition by Benjamin-Gunnar Cohrs) is exciting and clarifying, though I concur with the previous reviewer's comments about the Giulini performance. The sound of the CD layer is typical of RCA--very good, but a little less in-your-face than on DG.



I have also listened to the SACD stereo layer, and it is practically a different animal. Instrumental groups that are somewhat de-emphasized or out of focus on the CD layer come through with stunning immediacy and precision. Unlike a number of other SACD's I own, it makes an impressive case for the new format. Unfortunately, I'm not equipped to comment on the surround sound layer.



This is the most gratifying Bruckner release to come along in some time. Don't miss it, especially at such a great price!"

Symphony No 9

kakistocracy | 11/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The most intriguing part, and what gives this recording a unique flavour and sense of purpose, is Harnoncourt's workshop in English and German. It contains a public appeal. In case someone missed it, it is spelled out in clear by Gunnar Cohrs in the booklet: "[I] WOULD BE MOST HAPPY TO RECEIVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE LOCATION OF UNKNOWN BRUCKNER MANUSCRIPTS AND DOCUMENTS, WHICH WILL, OF COURSE BE TREATED IN CONFIDENCE. EVEN PHOTOCOPIES SENT ANONYMOUSLY, IF PREFERRED, WOULD BE OF INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE."Followed by a street address in Germany. It would be terrific if the complete finale showed up one day as a result. The VPO is in great form. Recorded sound and performance are excellent, and the price is right. Go for it."