Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 'Romantic'

• Audio Samples
• Album Summary
• Notes & Reviews
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• Works Details

Audio Samples

Album Summary

Conductor

• Vanska, Osmo

Ensemble

• 

Composer

• Anton Bruckner (1824 - 1896)

Notes & Reviews:

Symphony No.4 in E-flat major has belonged to Anton Bruckner's most popular works ever since its first performance, in Vienna 1881, when the composer was reportedly called out to take a bow after each movement. It is often called the 'Romantic', a nickname that Bruckner himself used, most probably in reference to the literary genre of the medieval romance, rather than to the concept of romantic love. It has been said that Bruckner took Beethoven's Symphony No.9 as the starting point for his symphonies. It therefore seems logical that Osmo Vanska and his Minnesota Orchestra have chosen to record this work after their widely acclaimed cycle of Beethoven's symphonies.

"Vänskä shows that Bruckner's last thoughts on his most popular symphony deserve to be heard...The performance has a sense of missionary zeal about it, too - predominantly swift tempi, fiercely worked climaxes and a real dramatic charge, all underpinned by exceptional orchestral playing." - The Guardian

"...high-definition ensemble and well-sprung tempi...strike a balance between tradition and a modern spring-clean...There is nothing remotely ponderous about this performance - the emphasis is on spring-coil energy...Vänskä's dynamism [is] effective on its own terms, and his mid-Western orchestra responds to his will with flawless spirit." - Financial Times

"Everything sounds natural and mellifluous...Vänskä's inspired and caring direction makes everything plausible; and the Minnesota musicians respond with that taut, fresh attack and lyrical glow familiar from their exciting Beethoven symphony cycle." - The Times

"The performance is vintage Vänskä: lean, lithe, emotionally engaged, meticulously prepared" - Gramophone

"...even if you decide against this score in the end, this finely recorded, authoritative performance will make the process all the more enjoyable." - BBC music Magazine

Notes & Reviews:

Recording information: Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA (01/2009).

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Works Details

Bruckner, Anton : Symphony no 4 in E flat major, WAB 104 "Romantic"

• Conductor: Osmo Vänskä
• Notes: Composition written: 1874-88.
• Running Time: 63 min. 20 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Form: Orchestral
• Written: 1874-1888