Most importantly, I think the sound is just better overall. There was little feeling that the brass were going to make the recording absolutely peak out at their loudest decibels, although I did sense some potential crushing.
Even if he wasn't the swiftest in Bruckner, there is an superb inner vitality with Karajan at the helm in Bruckner's Second Symphony. And, of course, it is great to hear all the wind solos which come and go in this symphony from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. No moment is ever wasted with these players on call, and I delight every moment a solo instrument is called upon.
Herbert von Karajan uses a mix of the Haas and Nowak editions, picking and choosing what he prefers. He does take substantial cuts in the second-movement Adagio, a good choice due to that movement's great length. Unfortunately, he chooses a clarinet solo to conclude the Adagio movement instead of the preferable horn solo. Drat history and revisions!
There is remarkable cohesion in the outer movements with Karajan. As a 'Symphony of Pauses' one could get sense of fragmentation and separation, but this crew makes it work remarkably, certainly elevating this early symphony from Bruckner. The rhythmic precision across the orchestra, and the effortlessly forward nature of the orchestral solos and ensemble features are remarkable, with plenty of clarity and weight throughout. Despite the C-minor key, this is a symphony of small moments, not dramatic bluster, and that is where Karajan & Co. excel.
In any case, this is an excellent performance of Bruckner's Symphony no. 2 and easily sits with favorite recordings from Eugen Jochum on DG and Horst Stein with Vienna.
Work
Symphony 2 in C minor, WAB 102
I. Moderato (18.16)
II. Andante (17.34)
III. Scherzo (6.12)
IV. Finale (18.06)
Performers
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Herbert von Karajan, conductor
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Year: 1982; 2019
Total Timing: 60.08
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