Bruckner
's fourth version (of six) of his
Symphony No. 3, WAB 103
, appeared in 1877. The first version, with its big quotations from
Wagner
, has sometimes led to the work's being given the "
" nickname, but
here began cutting those back and replacing them with more abstract structures. The work is sometimes called
's first fully mature symphony, with awesome levels of orchestral detail packed into sweeping structures. As such, it fits the nature of the
Philharmonie Festiva
and
Gerd Schaller
, a German orchestra and conductor devoted almost entirely to
. The "Bruckner2024" series has always been nicely recorded, but this one is a standout; the performance was recorded live in 2024 at one of the orchestra's usual stages in Bad Kissingen, Germany, with levels of orchestral playing captured with really striking clarity. This must be one of the finest live recordings on the market. As for the music itself,
Schaller
does not back away from aspects of the score that startled audiences at the time, and he offers a brisk, sharp reading. Consider the unlikely combination of chorale and polka in the opening pages of the finale, for instance. As for the overall conception of
's series, which seeks to record not only all of
's symphonies but all their versions, well, on one hand, it may seem over the top, but on the other,
's practice reflects nothing other than
's own creative struggles. There is plenty to chew on here for
lovers, as well as an impressive engineering job. ~ James Manheim