Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 (Live)

Chronique

As recordings of Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 5 in B flat major appear with greater frequency, it has steadily risen in popularity, nearly matching the Symphony No. 4 in E flat major, "Romantic," and the Symphony No. 7 in E major for audience appeal. Stanislaw Skrowaczewski and the London Philharmonic Orchestra performed the symphony at the Southbank Center's Royal Festival Hall on October 31, 2015, and this live recording gives evidence of its success with the listeners, if the enthusiastic applause at the conclusion gives any indication. Skrowaczewski follows the 1878 version in Leopold Nowak's edition, which is quite close to the earlier edition of Robert Haas, so there are few surprises in store for anyone familiar with the work. Skrowaczewski's tempos are on the slow side, lending gravitas to the chorales and other weighty passages. This approach is almost too reverent, and seems to make the first two movements somewhat labored, particularly where some forward propulsion would be welcome. The timing for the whole symphony at 78:51 is considerably longer than most other recordings, so there are many brisker performances available. Even so, alert listeners may regard Skrowaczewski's reading as studious and exacting, and the attention to detail is a clear benefit, especially in the symphony's massive fugal finale.
© TiVo