Symphonies 4 & 7

Album review

Mario Venzago and the Basel Symphony Orchestra perform the two most popular works by Anton Bruckner on this 2011 double-disc release, the Symphony No. 4 in E flat major, "Romantic," and the Symphony No. 7 in E major. Eschewing contemporary trends to record only original versions, Venzago uses the tried and true final revision of 1879-1880 version of the Fourth, and even observes the spurious cymbal crash in the Adagio of the Seventh, so there's no attempt made at period authenticity nor any pretense of fulfilling the composer's wishes, disputed as they have been for over a century. Instead, what is presented is a straightforward view of Bruckner, based on the conventions of the 20th century, and the familiarity of the versions and Venzago's direct approach help to reach the widest possible audience, while bypassing the complex issues of Bruckner's multiple editions. This unapologetic use of "standard" Bruckner frees Venzago to focus on the music's emotional core, and these performances are extraordinarily expressive and full of nuances. The smaller scale of the orchestra also gives Venzago the option of making the music extremely intimate and more spontaneous. The assurance of the Basel Symphony's playing brings across a feeling of confidence and power that makes the Fourth compelling and the Seventh exceptionally lyrical and moving. CPO's sound is wide open and spacious, and the climaxes have the right amount of reverberation to impress audiophiles.
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