Amazon.co.uk Review
Bruckner's Third Symphony (the so-called "Wagner" Symphony) is notorious for existing in many different revisions. Stephen Johnson, in the accompanying booklet to this release, gives a comprehensive survey of these and attempts to unravel the confusion. Suffice it to say that Vänskä has opted for the 1877 Novak edition, but uses the 1876 Adagio. The point is that the symphony emerges as a cogent whole, especially when given a performance as committed as this one. The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under Vänskä enters an august field, pitting themselves against the likes of
Jochum,
Sanderling and
Tintner. They acquit themselves brilliantly. The brass playing is resplendent, the strings glowing, the woodwind solos characterful--the orchestra as a whole is capable of evoking the entire range of emotions. The recording has all the sense of space required for the powerful climaxes. Vänskä captures the monumental quality of the Adagio to perfection, the strings taking on a lustrous, deep-throated tone (listen out for the references to Wagner's
Tannhäuser at about 16'30"). Vänskä shows a particular affinity for Bruckner's pastoral evocations, especially in the first movement. An outstanding achievement all round. --
Colin Clarke
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