Anton Bruckner, Symphony No. 3 (1877 edition)
Igor Stravinsky: Symphony in Three Movements
Georg Solti
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Arthaus Musik 100 321 (DVD)
Georg Solti’s conducting style is well showcased in this DVD
recording of two 1993 concerts from the Philharmonie im Gasteig in Munich. The
pairing is somewhat unusual. Stravinsky and Bruckner is not a regular
combination. But it works well. The 81-year old conductor is in
characteristically vigorous form and both pieces lend themselves to his
forceful approach.
The Third is Bruckner’s most Wagnerian (some would say:
bombastic) symphony. Solti gives a driving performance that brings out the
lyrical and dancing sections while keeping the overall architecture clearly in
view. Both the first movement (Mehr
lansam, misterioso) and the final Allegro
demonstrate Solti’s ability to bring out the contrasts in Bruckner,
particularly in the schizophrenic last movement that oscillates between a polka
and a funeral march. The driving scherzo is terrific.
The virtues of Solti’s Bruckner conducting are very clear in
the Adagio,
where the pace and momentum are finely judged to let the lyricism of the music
come through. At the same time, though, Solti is not at the mystical end of
Bruckner conducting and some listeners will think that there are depths to the
music that he does not reach. I am sympathetic to that view, but still relish
the energy and drive that Solti brings.
Energy and drive are also present in the Stravinsky, which
was the first piece Stravinsky wrote after emigrating to the US. Here the
videography helps the listener appreciate some of the nuances of the scoring
(whereas in the Bruckner the cameras add relatively little). There is not much
to be gained from the liner notes, however. As far as I can see, this is a
minimally repackaged pair of TV broadcasts. At least, the sound quality is
acceptable.
This DVD is certainly recommended for Solti enthusiasts. For
a more general audience, it provides a distinctive (and very worthwhile)
interpretation of Bruckner 3, as well as exposure to a Stravinsky piece that is
not as frequently heard as it should be.
