This is especially true of the outer movements, I think, where a heavier hand or a flowing tempo melds together Bruckner's ideas just fine.
Thus Herbert von Karajan's approach doesn't do too much for me, at least not in comparison to what he achieves in the later symphonies. Where his vision does work is in the Adagio second movement, a portion I have never cared for. One can just lay back and revel in the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra's soundworld and not worry about Bruckner's endlessly wandering harmonic attitudes here.
Karajan's more rhythmically emphatic approach, at a slightly slower tempo, actually brings out all of the overlapping diverse rhythms in the first and second movements much clearer than is often the case. Plus, the sturdier-paced Scherzo lacks nothing in attack or tension.
I don't care for the early digital sonics however, especially when it comes to the brass. I find the trumpets rather strident and off-putting, although the winds are ably heard. I will get to the Blu-ray quality when I review the entire series, but some of the congestion is relieved to a small degree there.
I don't believe Symphony no. 1 was ever a regular in Karajan's rucksack. It received no other recordings from Karajan other than this early 80s session. I wouldn't be surprised if this recording was his only reading of it, left out of concert performances and only added to fill out a cycle set. That doesn't make this recording inferior, yet it is more of a curious look at the early symphony from a conductor who didn't have a history with the work, but moreso with the mature composer.
Work
Symphony 1 in C minor 'Saucy Maid', WAB 101
I. Allegro (12.53)
II. Adagio (14.17)
III. Scherzo (8.54)
IV. Finale (14.27)
Performers
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Herbert von Karajan, conductor
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Year: 1981; 2019
Total Timing: 50.31
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