Bruckner: Sinfonie Nr. 1

Album review

Since 2006, Simone Young has recorded the symphonies of Anton Bruckner for Oehms, choosing the original versions over later revisions and turning in compelling interpretations with the Hamburg Philharmonic that are first-rate. Bearing in mind that the Symphony No. 1 in C minor was revised several times, as were almost all of Bruckner's symphonies, there are nagging questions about the criteria one should follow in picking a version or edition to record. Young, like her contemporaries Dennis Russell Davies and Marcus Bosch, finds the most authentic and original Bruckner to be among the composer's first attempts. Despite evidence that many of his later changes were authoritative and must be taken seriously, she makes a convincing case that these early versions should be appreciated in their own right as finished products. This is borne out by the "Linz" version of the First, a competent work that anticipates the developments that would later be hallmarks of the composer's style. Young's coherent reading guides the musicians, and the commitment and the passion that the Hamburg Philharmonic brings to the First make this recording essential listening on its own merits. Oehms' super audio sound is as excellent as it is in Young's other Bruckner offerings, and this album is highly recommended, especially for audiophiles.
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