Bruckner: Symphonies (Solti)

 

Sir Georg Solti's high voltage style is particularly well received in the earliest of Bruckner's symphonies, here Nos. 0 - 3.  

These early works are not one requiring a velvet glove to handle, nor is a cosmic gravity required for the listener. In many cases, Chicago is the prime choice in these performances.

Now, many enjoy Solti and Chicago in the later symphonies, Nos. 4 - 9, however, they have never ranked high in my estimation. 

I like a thicker, weightier string sound, whereas Chicago is lean and lithe. While the brass are notoriously powerful, in many cases of these later symphonies, Chicago just sort-of pops into these moments without a thought or care as to how to get to that point or where to go from there. Many will be swayed by the excitement and power of the moment, but to create a symphonic whole in Bruckner needs a lot of preparation. As opposed to expectation, Solti isn't a speed demon either, yet he almost needs that quicker pulse to maintain an edginess across the music.

One of my problems with the set as a whole, but I think as it relates to these later symphonies in particular, is the clear and tidy sound from Decca. It is as if every emotion is afraid to get dirtied up, where I would like some roughness and ugly feelings from the orchestra, especially the strings. By the way, the winds are excellent too, particularly as clearly as they come across amongst the ensemble in the Decca's sonics, so  clarity runs both ways.

But, I still hold onto this set for the early symphonies, and occasionally I will play the others. I may prefer the organic approach from Herbert von Karajan and Berlin, but Chicago and Solti have their qualities, especially in the early works.

 

 

 

 

Performers
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Herbert von Karajan, conductor

Label: Deccan
Year: 1980-96; 1996
Total Timing: 10.06.17

 

 

 

 

Solti was never my favorite Bruckner-ian of mine; I prefer a different approach to the symphonies.

But many will find a lot to like here. I am particularly taken with the earliest symphonies, where Solti's touch makes a stronger impact upon this listener.

 

 

 

 

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