Bruckner: Symphony 4 (Solti)

 

Once past Symphony no. 3, most don't cite Sir Georg Solti among preferred recordings of Bruckner's symphonies. He and the CSO are regarded more as flash-in-the-pan interpreters rather than ones to delve into the heart and soul of Bruckner.

Listen to the opening handful of minutes from Bruckner's Symphony no. 4 in E-flat Major (using the Nowak edition). Solti regards it more as an occasion to present a gradual accelerando rather than take the music at its word. Of course, with so much brass work, Chicago does make for an exciting ride, and many enjoy that take in Bruckner rather than a more majestic reading. I don't sense any particular specialness to the pastoral elements either, other than a lighthearted jauntiness, which contrasts the stronger brass moments well enough.

At least Sir Georg doesn't rush headlong into the second movement, where Bruckner allows a range of tempo choices from Andante to an Allegretto style. Again, a light jauntiness pervades over any deep feelings, reminding me more of Mahler than Bruckner, where the couple of militaristic flare ups are nearly underplayed (!!) alongside the minor-keyed songfulness, another place where I could imagine the cellos being more emotive.

Solti also paces the third-movement Scherzo pretty well, one which is notable for its daunting brass fanfare work, a terrific showcase for Chicago and Decca's terrific sonics. One place where Solti does make headway is in the second section of the Scherzo, a start-and-stop affair which drives me nuts. Not so here, where Chicago bridges the gaps for me rather effectively, and the following Trio is pleasant enough, if not slightly bland.

In any recording, the orchestral and brass section unisons irk me, as they do in other compositions; it is just a texture I do not enjoy in ensemble works. If anyone was going to get me to enjoy unisons more, it would be Chicago on Decca. I can't say I am completely sold, but I love, love, love Decca's orchestral balances, making this particular sound more palatable to my preferences. What they do not convince me of is the length of the final movement, another feature of this work I have not come to terms with yet. The repetition of ideas just comes around one too many times for my tastes. But Solti and Chicago do build a sense of excitement well.

I might be critical of this recording, but I do not loathe it as some do. Really, I would call this a middle-of-the-road recording of Bruckner's Fourth Symphony, one which neither provides me as many thrills or a special sense of awe as I would like in lieu of sonic splendor. At times, I find this recording quite mediocre or middling in comparison to other interpretations, a personal feeling. I do think Decca hits it out of the park sonically however, especially for an early digital effort.

 

 

 

 

Work
Symphony 4 in E-flat Major, WAB 104 (Nowak)
    I. Bewegt (17.55)
   II. Andante (14.41)
  III. Scherzo (10.02)
  IV. Finale (20.08)

Performers
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Georg Solti, conductor

Label: Decca
Year: 1981
Total Timing: 62.46

 

 

 

 

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