Bruckner: Symphony 6 (Solti)

 

Oddly, Sir Georg Solti lays on the slow side of recorded versions of Bruckner's Symphony no. 6 in A Major.

I don't mind this in the outer movements, where the heroics have time to build to exciting climaxes, but the inner movements become too much of a drudgery.

This is especially true in the third movement Scherzo, where I already think Bruckner's instructions of 'nicht schnell' rob the movement of sufficient contrast to the rest of the work. The solemn second movement is a beautiful one, but at Solti's pace loses some of its focus, especially in the last third, not to mention becoming overly syrupy for me - too 'pull here' and 'tug there' for my tastes.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra unsurprisingly follows Solti with great virtuosity, even if this team never had a great sense of occasion in Bruckner. All this means is I usually am left with the music as is and little else in terms of phrasings and tempo changes to make it theirs. I do greatly enjoy Decca's fine sonics, capturing the Chicago ensemble work and orchestral solos wonderfully. I try to save any mention of Chicago's notorious brass section for worthy moments, for the whole ensemble is often worthy of praise, but I think Decca does a particularly terrific job conveying the weight and glory in Bruckner's brass moments here.

As I have mentioned elsewhere in this blog, Bruckner's Sixth Symphony is a problem child for me, so take any criticisms with a grain of salt. Solti and Chicago don't cure me of my ills, nor do they make me want to turn off the music. Faint praise? Perhaps, however in this music it means more to me.

Work
Symphony 6 in A Major, WAB 106 (Nowak)
    I. Majestoso (17.41)
   II. Adagio (19.22)
  III. Scherzo (8.52)
  IV. Finale (15.14)

Performers
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Georg Solti, conductor

Label: Decca
Year: 1980
Total Timing: 61.09

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