Bruckner: Symphony 1 (Solti)

 

This symphony may be a miniature masterpiece from Bruckner.

I imagine, for me, it is because Bruckner's Symphony no. 1 in C minor gets down to business. The outer movements begin with little preface, and the Scherzo is a dangerous whirlwind. Only the second movement is allowed aimless wandering.

While there are a lot of brass moments for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to lap up here, I don't feel Sir Georg is in a particular hurry. He lets the strings and winds take their time in Bruckner's transitions and developments, although still with a ever forward-flowing feel.

And oh the melodies. The opening march is a wonderful thematic device, even if it is more Mahler than Bruckner. The later first-movement moment with the trombones will get any Richard Wagner lover's heart going, and it is a big moment of the symphony. The Scherzo is one of Bruckner's greats too. The orchestral hits and main melody are truly terrifying, while the Trio is the definition of bucolic peacefulness. The second movement is more chromatically ambiguous, while the final movement is a little hard-edged brass wise; neither are favorites of mine.

As is often the case in these earlier symphonies from Bruckner, a lighter touch is not always the best way to approach their music. Especially so since the composer hasn't fully developed his trademark musical attributes. In this case, the First Symphony is more organically flowing than his later works, generally devoid of pauses and a fragmentary layout. The structures are strong here too, where the listener is never lost amongst generally strong thematic ideas.

Like Symphony no. 0, this is another recording from late-in-life Solti. We are lucky to have his view on record, for he passed just two years later. While he was never a particularly respected Bruckner-ian, there is a general consensus the Hungarian conductor was better at these early symphonies. And so it is, captured in fine Decca sound.

 

 

 

 

Work
Symphony 1 in C minor 'Saucy Maid', WAB 101
    I. Allegro (12.05)
   II. Adagio (12.59)
  III. Scherzo (8.08)
  IV. Finale (13.40)

Performers
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Georg Solti, conductor

Label: Decca
Year: 1995
Total Timing: 46.52

 

 

 

 

 Find more Bruckner recordings HERE!