Nott/Bamberg Symphony Orchestra – Tudor multichannel SACD 7133
63:11****:
This performance of Bruckner’s Third, in its original 1873 version,
recommends itself on several counts. First, conscientious editing has
restored much of the structural balance, especially in the Finale, that
excessive cuts had destroyed. Second, aside from the scholarly and
musicological restitutions, Jonathan Nott–of whose pedagogy I scarcely
am familiar except that he succeeded Horst Stein as artistic director
of the Bamberg Symphony–has mounted a sumptuous spectacle of sound,
with an extremely responsive, resonant ensemble whose brass section
rises to all occasions. For an audiophile’s rush, try the opening of
the Scherzo! Given the exalted, sonic quality of the Zurich-based
production, the monumentality of the conception, both Bruckner’s and
Nott’s sterling realization, strives for cosmic proportions.
Of course, Bruckner’s block-style of composition, with its fits and
starts and stops, can either charm or frustrate, depending on the
generous gift of one’s poetic indulgence. Even with the excision
of overt references to Wagner’s Ring, there still appear allusions to
Tristan and the sleep-motif from The Valkyrie. Those already committed
to this score via the efforts of Knapertsbusch, Jochum, and Inbal will
likely declare Nott another true Bruckner disciple. He certainly can
urge organ-tone richness and delicate, misterioso pianos out of his
orchestra. Kudos clearly go to the uncredited Tudor recording
engineers, having captured a monolithic sound in a genie’s bottle. Purchase at Archiv.com
-Gary Lemco
