Album

Not especially known as a conductor of Anton Bruckner's symphonies, Mariss Jansons' recordings have been few, hitherto only the Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4 on the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra's label, and this recording of the Symphony No. 7 on BR Klassik. This presentation with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra is comparable to RCO Live's SACDs in strength of execution and vivid audio reproduction, and listeners who have all these recordings have reasons to be happy with them. Jansons gives a straightforward interpretation of this symphony, and the orchestra plays with ample warmth and enthusiasm, showing a profound love for this music. Being a live recording, there are unavoidable noises from the audience and a few spots where the breezy ambient sounds of the auditorium give the all-digital sound a slight hiss, reminiscent of analog tape. By and large, though, the orchestral sound is clear and closely detailed, and everything can be heard in the direct stream digital recording. From time to time, it also captures Jansons humming along with the orchestra, and while this is usually heard as a faint, out-of-tune groaning in loud passages, it can still distract. But with these flaws taken into consideration, this is still a lyrical, graceful, and moving reading of one of Bruckner's best loved works, and Jansons deserves great credit for communicating the heart and soul of this symphony through such a committed ensemble.

Note to Bruckner purists: Jansons includes the cymbal crash and triangle roll at the climax of the Adagio, which the composer ultimately rejected.

© Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide

CD 1
Anton Bruckner Composer Symphony No.7 in E, WAB107 ('Lyric') Work 1:05:07 Mariss Jansons Conductor, Symphponieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks Orchestra
1	1.Allegro moderato	20:24			$3.49
2	2.Adagio: Sehr feierlich und sehr langsam	22:00			$3.99
3	3.Scherzo: Sehr schnell	9:48			$1.49
4	4.Finale: Bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell	12:55			$1.99