A magnificent recording which every Bruckner fan should ownPosted: 2009-12-31 11:28:00 A magnificent recording which every Bruckner fan should own
7 Nov 2009
By Bandekafsh "Rampant Polyglot" (London)
Zander directs a magnificent performance, which should be in every Brucknerian's collection, whatever versions of the 5th might already be on the shelf. He has done the equivalent of restoring a painting - removing the grime and heaviness which afflict so many other interpretations of this symphony. The result is something fresh, fleet of foot, completely alive in every bar, unfussy, urgent, exciting, with a natural flow which carries the music forward and doesn't interfere with Bruckner's inspiration. There is also a beauty in the orchestral playing which arises not from something overlaid on the music (as with Karajan), but rather from playing the music with simple devotion. The brass in particular play gloriously, giving the many chorale passages a very special and unusual blend of excitement and richness.
The second CD contains a talk in which Zander gives a detailed analysis of the symphony, interleaved with the moving story of his father's reading of the score in the trenches during the First World War. Zander sheds considerable light on the music and speaks lucidly and movingly.
I very much hope that Zander will record the other Bruckner symphonies, and that he will include an extra CD of analysis with each recording.
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