Majesty vs. Eloquence
Concerned Citizen | Miami FL | 05/16/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This recording of the Bruckner 4th with the Munich Philharmonic postdates Wand's recording of this piece with the Berlin Philharmonic; his Munich recording of the 5th symphony predates the Berlin recording. Comparing the respective versions offers proof-positive of the fallacy of assigning "last word" authority to any conductor's reading based upon recording chronology. Rather, Wand, like all great conductors, adapts his artistic vision to best exploit the individual characteristics and capabilities of the orchestra he is conducting. These two orchestras have different artistic priorities; thus, so do his interpretations.
The Berlin Philharmonic delivers a powerful and silky smooth sound--reflecting the exceptional pride and technique of its individual players coupled with an apparent German stereotypical desire to fall into line and blend homogeneously. If you desire Bruckner with the maximum measure of punch and grandeur--a steady, logical, perceptive, persuasive march through Bruckner's complex textures, phrasings, and rhythms, these are the recordings for you. None finer. They possess an irrefutable logic.
The Munich Philharmonic, at least in these recordings, appears to be the more eloquent ensemble--and together with their conductor, Wand--miss few opportunities to truly enjoy the playing of this music. Wand and the Munich deliver the full power when necessary--with a crispness rather than a punch to the gut--but truly excel in the quieter and more lyrical moments. By this time in his life, Wand had indeed mastered all the challenges of Bruckner, and with these performances, shows he was ready to have some fun. The orchestra--perhaps capturing the sunnier and more carefree flavor of their home city--heartily complied.
The Munich recordings, I believe, best the Berlin renditions in terms of eloquence, elegance, lucidity, and poetry. The inner voices of the orchestra are clearly heard, and beautiful secondary phrases--buried by too many conductors and their orchestras in this music--are repeatedly highlighted,savored, and "optimized" by Wand.
While the Berlin recordings showcase Bruckner's Wagnerian influence, these clearly put forward his Shubertian side. The 4th is a wonderful reading, the 5th even better. My recommendation is to have both the Berlin and Munich recordings, playing the one or the other as your mood dictates."
An Exciting Reading
J. Gillon | North Carolina | 11/19/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can add nothing substantive to Concerned Citizen's penetrating review except an enthusiastic "Amen"! I agree completely, Wand's live readings with MPO on Profil -- and the best of them is this B4 -- are wonderful, exciting, magical affairs. Applause is included, and should be.
But I must disagree with Santa Fe Listener. Wand does not get in the way of the music, but he certainly isn't absent. Instead of pushing or dragging or just beating time like lesser conductors, he knows the musical landscape intimately and pulls his orchestra along behind him with uncommon subtlety of dynamics and pacing, Wand's performances -- with just a few exceptions out of an extensive discography -- do not race, drag, or run in fits and starts, but are completely natural and organic.
Don't let a few detractors dissuade you from sampling Wand's body of work. I think he was a master, especially with Bruckner. But don't take my word for it, listen and decide for yourself."
