Search - Bruckner, Abendroth, Radio Symphony Orchestra :: Symphony 4

One of the Great Brucknerians of the 20th Century

A Music Fan from London | London | 08/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I fully agree with reviewer Daniel's (see below) assessment of this symphony. For me it marked the beginning of my love of Bruckner, and Abendroth is still my favourite interpreter for this composer. The sound is more than acceptable for a recording of 1949, but those who want DDD quality should look elsewhere. Abendroth has been in the shadow for quite some time, especially as the last years of his life, when he recorded his entire repertoire (mainly with Radio Leipzig), were spent in the former German Democratic Republic. He is very germanic, strong bass line, phantastic sense of propulsion, though not the ultimate in detail. Any assessment of him should start with his work for Bruckner, where he basically never sets a foot wrong - he was born to conduct this music, which he did for the first time in his early twenties - without the benefit of a rigorous musical education - he was supposed to take over his father's library! For a first approach, there is no better way than to get Bruckner's Fourth with Berlin Classics - you get a masterpiece at a very low price. Bruckner's Seventh should come after that, a magnificent achievement recorded three months before his death in May 1956 - Bruckner being God's conductor, the life of a true Brucknerian should begin and end with it! Bruckner's Seventh, incidentally, was the first Bruckner symphony Abendroth conducted around 1907!"

One of the greatest Bruckner's performers

lampros | 06/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Abendroth is one of the greater bruckner's perfomance and here he is at his ver best. Being a Furt's fan myself i have never feel comfortable with his performances of this symphony, but here you can find a truly furtwanglerian performance. Celibidache's fourth on EMI is still my first choice, but this one comes very near"