Symphony No. 4 in E flat major 'Romantic': 1. Bewegt, nicht zu schnell
Symphony No. 4 in E flat major 'Romantic': 2. Andante quasi Allegretto
Symphony No. 4 in E flat major 'Romantic': 3. Scherzo: Bewegt - Trio: Nicht zu schnell. Keinesfalls schleppend - Scherzo
Symphony No. 4 in E flat major 'Romantic': 4. Finale: Bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell
Track Listings (4) - Disc #2
Symphony no. 7 in E major: 1. Allegro moderato
Symphony no. 7 in E major: 2. Adagio: Sehr feierlich und sehr langsam
Symphony no. 7 in E major: 3. Scherzo: Sehr schnell
Symphony no. 7 in E major: 4. Finale: Bewegt, doch night schnell
Hopefully DG will reissue the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies from Daniel Barenboim's vastly underrated Chicago Symphony Bruckner cycle. If you like brass (and who doesn't?), these are the performances for you. When they were... more » first issued, these performances were criticized for their extremes of tempo and seeming youthful impetuosity. Well, that's no bad thing. It's true that Bruckner seems to respond well to interpretations by sclerotic old Germans, but there's more to his music than that, and few performances have ever conveyed the sheer sonic magnificence of the writing as well as these forces do. Try the scherzo of the Fourth. If you're not hooked, then there's no hope. --David Hurwitz« less
Hopefully DG will reissue the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies from Daniel Barenboim's vastly underrated Chicago Symphony Bruckner cycle. If you like brass (and who doesn't?), these are the performances for you. When they were first issued, these performances were criticized for their extremes of tempo and seeming youthful impetuosity. Well, that's no bad thing. It's true that Bruckner seems to respond well to interpretations by sclerotic old Germans, but there's more to his music than that, and few performances have ever conveyed the sheer sonic magnificence of the writing as well as these forces do. Try the scherzo of the Fourth. If you're not hooked, then there's no hope. --David Hurwitz
CD Reviews
Bruckner = Brass
Dave | Hoffman Estates, IL USA | 10/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sure, Bruckner wrote wonderful parts for the entire orchestra, but it's obvious he tried to capture a larger than life sound utilizing brass through a vast majority of his symphonies, and where can you find better brass than in the Chicago Symphony? Bruckner 4 and 7, presented on this disc, rely heavily on a rich, sonorous brass section, and it's a thrill listening to this great orchestra play this music with the power it deserves..."
Barenboim is Great!
David Lee | Canada | 05/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In spite of the fact others may not care for Barenboim at least he has the gall to get lathered up into the whirlpool of Bruckner's crescendo markings. The freedom with tempi are really quite elastic and help make the phrases move nicely without forcing too much. I am tired of listening to lifeless Bruckner...at least here we have some fire and blazes in music that needs it. These are super sounding recordings as well. Power Bruckner with dramatic bite as well."
Because I'm a wunderkind and I want to record it, that's why
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/29/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Even in the Seventies, at the outset of his conducting career with big international orchestras, a time when Barenboim had no credentials to compete with veteran Brucknerians, he got his way. It's amazing how much music Barenboim has committed to disc, in fact, without any obvious show of talent on the podium.
You would think form his extensive discography that he is another Bernstein, capable of infusing any work with his own personal stamp. That is far from the case. Barenboim, one must admit, was a wunderkind, but more along the lines of Maazel--he is a facile, willful conductor whose ideas never go very deep. That he has self-styled himself in the great tradition of Furtwangler is ludicrous.
This Bruckner isn't terrible, and the CSO makes a good, if at times brash showing. If you must have Barenobim in these works--why?--his later traversal on Erato with the Berlin Phil. is much more accomplished and in wonderful sound."
Pretty Good Except For the Animal Noises
Timothy Dougal | Madison, Wi United States | 03/18/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This Double CD of Barenboim's 70's CSO Bruckner symphonies is frustratingly almost great. The interpretations are vigorous, fluid and coherent. The orchetral playing is brilliant. The only thing wrong is Barenboim's unfortunate tendency to sonically deface his recordings by groaning during all of his favorite parts. If you're not listening too closely it's not that bad, but on headphones, which is usual for me, even at moderate volume the ugly, unmusical vocalizations are annoying. Loud, they are very annoying!"
Track Listings (4) - Disc #1