Bruckner: Symphony 3 (Solti)

 

Symphony no. 3 in D minor is generally considered Georg Solti's finest recording of Bruckner. I tend to agree, but as I have mentioned before, he is particularly adept at the early symphonies in general.

As compared to Karajan, I find Solti's recordings of Bruckner a little brittle sounding. Something about the stridency of the brass and their relationship to the strings, while the winds are forced into the back seat.

With that in mind, it is notable the devoted attention Solti affords the slow second movement in the Third Symphony. The Hungarian conductor takes his time to explore the musicality of this section, although it should be noted how often the tempo changes here as well, so perhaps this has some bearing on Solti's approach.

He also coheres the lengthy first movement well, relishing the portentous D-minor portions especially. He makes the third-movement Scherzo an orchestra showcase, and wastes little time in the final movement. I don't find the contrast between the heavy main idea and the rustic polka in the fourth movement particularly coherent, but the latter musical section was never my favorite anyways. Take note Bruckner aficionados, Solti uses the 1877 Nowak edition.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is killer in this music, and luckily so is its conductor. I never felt anything prosaic nor platitudinous. It seems both conductor and orchestra are as one in this music from Bruckner. An easy first choice recording from an unexpected source in Bruckner's symphonies.

 

 

 

 

Work
Symphony 3 in D minor, WAB 103
    I. Gemäßigt (21.49)
   II. Adagio (16.39)
  III. Scherzo (7.00)
  IV. Finale (13.57)

Performers
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Georg Solti, conductor

Label: Decca
Year: 1994
Total Timing: 59.33

 

 

 

 

 

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