Altomonte Orchester St. Florian, Remy Ballot - Symphony I (2023) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Symphony I in C major, WAB 101 - I - Allegro
02. Symphony I in C major, WAB 101 - II - Adagio
03. Symphony I in C major, WAB 101 - III - Scherzo. Schnell
04. Symphony I in C major, WAB 101 - IV - Finale. Bewegt, feurig



Looking at the first version of the First Symphony, the 1890 / 91 version remains very close to the original material composed in 1866 - which is already of a modernity incomprehensible at that time. Bruckner, in full maturity, does not deny himself, and perfects his symphony according to its own nature. The greatest difference lies in the coda of the 4th movement; it is orchestrated differently and is the result of greater construction and preparation. In the first version it was hardly perceptible as a coda - in the sense of a coda of the later symphonies - but these changes give it the monumentality it deserves.

Also interesting is the work on the tempo changes, the rallentandi and accelerandi, which are not without their pitfalls when comparing the two versions, especially in the first movement. But it shows how important it is to Bruckner to connect the parts and to seek ever more unity and continuity. Where there were doubts about the realization, there is suddenly clarity in the new version.

No doubt this was also one of the reasons for the revisions of his 2nd and 4th symphonies. At the same time, however, he was already mentally occupied with his 9th Symphony. The forces that are set in motion in it come from a completely different world, but the substance of the coda of the 2nd version of his First Symphony is semantically related to the coda of the Ninth.

It is only speculation, but in the hope that it was, and to fill the absence of this coda of the Ninth, so much regretted by all, I have chosen the 1890 / 91 version. (Remy Ballot)

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