Very musically rewarding
Jeffrey Lee | Asheville area, NC USA | 04/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Schuricht/Bruckner Fourth with the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra permits me to extend a little further the brief comparison made in my previous review of Van Beinum's Bruckner 4. I want to relate some impressions I gained from sitting Schuricht and Jochum at the same table. First, I find neither of the two guilty of projecting irritating mannerisms in their respective presentations of the Fourth. Does this mean I like everything I hear ? Not exactly. For example, I wish Schuricht's finale at the end of the last movement was just a bit more imposing. Jochum's comparatively stronger take charge approach registers more appropriately and satisfyingly. But, after all is said and done, Schuricht's reading overall assumes preeminence. In fact, his greater degree of ease and naturalness (traits I have previously attributed to Jochum's style) often yields more pleasurable results, particularly in areas where rhythmic tension builds. He also appears to offer a more generously detailed musical canvass which assists in placing me more inside the music, so that even in Bruckner's more slowly moving second movement, my interest never flags. In this movement, a number of conductors sound too perfunctory. Schuricht, however, demonstrates a simple yet inviting expressiveness, not unlike Knappertsbusch, who, in turn, like Schuricht, seems more attuned to those facets of Bruckner that are both compassionate and rustic. Even in terracing toward climaxes, Knappertsbusch and Schuricht seemingly achieve a greater sense of majesty by moving at a more gradual, relaxed clip. It's as if rising notes are held onto and extended longer, thereby underscoring more effectively an emerging vision of grandeur. On the other hand, Jochum seems to draw a little tauter musical outline, while generally moving more quickly to the mountain's peak. As I've alluded to before, he often responds like a coiled spring which releases with sudden impact. I do not consider this approach to be invalid. I simply find Schuricht ( and Knappertsbusch ) somewhat more appealing. They are not only my preferred choices in this symphony but also my current favorite conductors, along with Jochum, for Bruckner's music in general. Incidentally, the Schuricht Hanssler disc is of a live performance, recorded better than those accounts of both Knappertsbusch ( also live ) and Jochum."
Track Listings (4) - Disc #1