Bruckner: Symphony 5 (Solti)

 

As I am entering in Bruckner symphonies onto this blog for the very first time, my initial two comparisons are inevitable.

Unusually, Karajan and Solti come at Bruckner's Symphony no. 5 in B-flat Major with very similar timings, including a 21-minute second movement, both performances timing slightly longer than the opening movement.

My initial reaction to this recording comes from the sound of the ensembles. To my ears, Chicago on Decca sounds cleaner, but in an rather antiseptic way, whereas Karajan and Berlin sound warmer and more lived in, more cohesive and emotionally drawn-in amidst their approaches to sectional changes and musical lines.

I do greatly enjoy the tight brass ensemble sound Decca has afforded Chicago, and generally the sonics are sparkly clear, if not a bit too 'present' and 'crisp'. And while I hope these views of Solti's approach to the composer don't continue to the later symphonies, Chicago's Bruckner recordings with the Hungarian conductor in the mature symphonies were never regarded as towering references. 

Yet, there is excitement and motion here, despite the 79-minute runtime. Whether these elements stand for emotional grip will rest on the determination of the individual listener. For me, not as much, even though I appreciate Solti's set. Neither recording, however, convinces me of Bruckner's complex and lengthy last movement, but I fear that view rests purely upon me coming to terms with the work as a whole.

It should also be mentioned as an aside, Sir Georg performed this very same symphony for the visit of Pope John Paul II to Chicago, not too far before this crew set it down for recording.

 

 

 

 

Work
Symphony 5 in B-flat Major, WAB 105 (Nowak)
    I. Adagio - Allegro (20.27)
   II. Adagio (21.37)
  III. Scherzo (13.25)
  IV. Finale (23.48)

Performers
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Georg Solti, conductor

Label: Decca
Year: 1980
Total Timing: 79.17

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find more Bruckner recordings HERE!