Bruckner Symphony # 6, Anton Bruckner (1824-96) conducted by Sir Simon Rattle with The London Symphony Orchestra – LSO Live Catalog # LSO0842. TT: 56:00 (October 25, 2019)
The Bruckner Symphony # 6 seems apart from some of the other Bruckner Symphonies. It’s distinct for its rhythms and dynamics. It’s subtle in many ways, and to my ear, it’s the ‘freshest’ of his canon.
There’s no shortage of great performances of this stirring work, but finding one that has a great and passionate performance along with a fine modern recording is a little harder.
I’ve always been partial to the Solti on Decca, and the Klemperer on EMI. Both are fiery performances.
Still, this new recording with Rattle and the London Symphony is a serious contender. Recorded live in January of this year at the Barbican, I love the detail in this SACD graced with 5.1 channels. Too often in recordings, the dynamics are lost, but this recording let’s Sir Simon let it out without fear of audio overload. The musicians are at their best, with precise entrances and vigorous playing that this music requires.
I also listened to the CD layer and it was excellent too, but a bit less dynamic and without the rear channels the sense of the hall is lost.
Rattle is getting an enviable catalog on the LSO label, and I haven’t been disappointed with any of the many recording I’ve heard. I also applaud the LSO label for bringing us many fine recordings of the Londoners, as well as an extensive selection of high resolution SACDs.
Recommeded
—Mel Martin
A dynamic and rousing version of one of Bruckner’s most interesting symphonies!
