Franz Konwitschny - Bruckner: Symphony No.5 (1961) [2020 SACD]

Despite being recorded in 1961, the amazing Bruckner performance that reigns at a considerable level even in modern times. Although it is a result that could only be achieved by Konwitschny and the Gewandhaus Orchestra, the magnificent sense of scale not found in other performances of the same period and the strong expressive power that delves into the melody are unparalleled even today. Since this "No. 5" has a performance time of over 80 minutes, it has been released as a set of two discs in the CD era, but this time it is recorded on one disc. Bruckner's performance with a wide dynamic range is suitable for reprinting with high sound quality, and the dynamic expression that is the characteristic of this sound source is overwhelmed. The super-dreadnought performance has been revamped as the world's first SACD sound source.
For the performance at that time, the tempo is set to be slow and there is no scene to be rushed. It is wonderful that the performance is so relaxed yet never relaxed, and it is a performance that can be fully interpreted as a modern interpretation. Some of the performances before the 1970s, when research on Bruckner progressed dramatically, were old-fashioned, and there were few interpretations that were carefully considered like this performance. However, Konwituny was highly rated along with Jochum in the early days of stereo, probably because it was compatible with "No. 5". Takashi Asahina is said to have said during his lifetime that he wanted to conduct like Convituni. It also sounds like there is a semantic similarity. The sound of the orchestra is not suppressed, and while it sounds powerfully, the composition and balance in various places are finely adjusted, but the reins that are important to this song are never lost. Today, even though many recordings of "No. 5" are left due to the Bruckner Boom, the performance of this Convituni is shining. The recording is also excellent, and the craftsmanship of Struben is an important element of this large-scale performance.

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Please use it only as a reference.


Tracks:

Anton Bruckner:
01. Symphony No. 5 in B flat major (original version)

Personnel:

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
Franz Convituni (conductor)

recording
26-28 & 30 June 1961 Kongreshalle Leipzig