Search - Bruckner, Konwitschny :: Symphony 2

Bruckner Symphony 2-Franz Konwitschny

Doug Rea | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | 07/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is a rule of thumb that conductors are inconsistent in the quality of their performances-they run hot and cold. Nowhere is this more evident than with the German conductor Franz Konwitschny. Especially with his Bruckner, Konwitschny could be brilliant-or abysmal-take your pick. In this 1951 live recording of Bruckners' Second Symphony, the conductor has done the best recording of his career, and also the best Bruckner 2 in existence.This performance is flawless, and shows that the conductor had a deep understanding of the work. This symphony had been nicknamed "The Symphony of Rests", and Konwitschny lets it show with a sensitive, unhurried pace with pauses that leave the listener begging for more. This conductor was influenced by Wilhelm Furtwangler but was not a "Furtwangler clone" -this recording, as well as his early Wagner efforts, shows that Konwitschny had developed a distinct identity. (Furtwangler could only dream of doing a Bruckner 2 this good}
Leaving Furtwanglers' hazy mysticism behind, this is Bruckner sounding clear and tidy, but without sacrificing warmth and emotion. The spiritual element is there in the way that it should be. {Eugen Jochum could have learned alot} I have been moved to tears many times by this noble rendition; no other Bruckner 2 can match it. It is really a shame that Konwitschnys' other Bruckner recordings are not up to the level of this one, but nobody is perfect. I am gratefull to have this one."

A masterful performance by an overlooked master

G Pelloni | Cottingham, East Yorkshire United Kingdom | 07/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this is an oustanding performance, to be ranked among the best of this symphony. Konwitschny's reading of Bruckner's 2nd symphony is as colossal as his reading of Bruckner's 7th (perhaps the only performance which can be ranked alongside Furtwangler's majectic 1949 with the BPO).
This performance of the 2nd is an uncomparable achievement unmatched by any other great Brucknerian. Konwitschny's sense of structure, his sensitive and flexible use of rubatos, his ability of pulling together the music even in its relatively weaker moments, make this recording quite magical. It is unfortunate that this great conductor, though famous in Eastern Europe, was overlooked by the great recording companies. I wish there were more Bruckner's recordings by Konwitschny."