Anton Bruckner (1824 – 1896)
Symphony No. 5 in B flat Major
———————
Christoph Von Dohnanyi, Conductor
Cleveland Orchestra
Recorded January 20 and 21, 1991 – Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio
———————
ONE-SENTENCE REVIEW:
There are reasons why many people and critics are not fans of Bruckner’s 5th Symphony, this performance by the Cleveland Orchestra conducted by Christoph Von Dohnanyi is not one them.
———————
ORIGINAL LINER NOTES by Mark Audus
The Fifth is at once the most compelling and forbidding of Bruckner’s symphonies. The Finale is one of the crowning glories of symphonic literature, but the road to it is fraught with pitfalls for the weak of heart.
Passages of blazing glory rub shoulders with others of great austerity: rich sonorities stand next to spare counterpoint, and earthy dance-music next to sublime lyricism. Such antitheses – hallmarks of all Brucker’s mature music – are particularly marked here and perhaps explain why this, one of the greatest of his symphonies, has never been among the best-loved.
The composer himself may have recognized his exceptional achievement in the Fifth; and recounted to Richard Wagner: “Dr. Liszt played through my Fifth Symphony, and ‘proclaimed’ (his own words!) my virtues to [Prince] Hohenlohe, ‘My only consolation in Vienna!'”
Yet even Bruckner’s friends seem to have been daunted by the work, and it received only two performances in Bruckner’s lifetime; the first on April 20, 1887 (almost ten years after its completion) in an arrangement for two pianos by Josef Schalk, and the second on April 9, 1894 in a heavily cut and edited version by Franz Schalk (still to be heard until relatively recently) which the composer was mercifully too ill to attend.
Lying at the center of Bruckner’s symphonic oevre, the Fifth seems both to close the door on the early symphonies and to look forward to the mighty world of the late works. Indeed, a number of writers have described it as Janus-like, a metaphor that can be extended beyond the scope of Bruckner’s own works to that of a wider music history. For it seems as once to look back to the worlds of Classicism and the Baroque and forward to a new kind of music which fuses counterpoint and symphonic form.
The Janus metaphor may be applied on many levels, although the Fifth is full of thematic cross-references between the movements, the most obvious are between the second and third (both of which start with the same motif at different speeds) and the first and last – suggesting a symmetrical layout.
Such an observation is corroborated by the proportions of the of the movements, which are more evenly balanced than the beginning-heavy Seventh and the end-heavy Eighth. We might even suggest that Bruckner composed the work ‘inside out.’
Composition began (on February 14, 1875) with the Adagio, followed by the first movement, the Scherzo and Trio, and the Finale (May 1877). Subsequent revisions brought Bruckner full-circle to complete the Adagio by January 4, 1878.
Bruckner dedicated the Fifth Symphony to ‘his Excellency Herr Carl von Stremayr, Imperial Minister for Culture And Education.’ This is particularly appropriate, for not only did Stremayr help secure Bruckner a professorship in harmony and counterpoint at Vienna University, but this is also the most ‘learned’ of Bruckner’s symphonies.
It is difficult to apply the term ‘programme music’ in the conventional sense to any of these works, the Fourth comes the closest, but the Fifth lays greater claim to the description of ‘absolute music.’
The beginning of the slow introduction – unique in Bruckner’s symphonies and itself a ‘Classical’ feature – can almost be heard in terms of an exercise in species counterpoint. Both the introduction and the following Allegro seem to be ‘about’ avoiding the implied tonic chord, so that even the first subject quickly veers to the minor mode, and though the tonic is finally achieved, the whole movement still has an introductory feel about it.
TRACK LISTING:
Anton Bruckner (1824 – 1896) – Symphony No. 5in B Flat Major
- Introduction: Adagio – Allegro [19:41]
- Sehr langsam [18:10]
- Scherzo: Molto vivace – Trio [13:05]
- Finale: Allegro molto [22:53]
FINAL THOUGHT:
I mean, definitely not my go to when I have a hankering for Bruckner. That said, it does have some damn fine rousing moments!
Emily Sachs – President – Manka Music Group (A division of Manka Bros. Studios – The World’s Largest Media Company
The PB77 app offers users a seamless and intuitive platform for managing their betting activities with real-time updates and a user-friendly interface.
pb77 app
Excellent layout and content combination. Your website is deserving of all the compliments it has been receiving. I’ll be back soon with more excellent material. Israëlische burgers die in aanmerking komen voor een Indiase e-visum
It’s perfect time to make some plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy. I’ve learn this post and if I could I desire to counsel you some fascinating issues or tips. Perhaps you can write next articles regarding this article. I want to read more issues about it! cnc machining watch parts
Rapid each of our internet site probably will without doubt come to be reputed using the majority of functioning a new web site people, for the thoughtful content pieces as well as assessment content. noodlemagazine
Wonderful post, thanks for discussing the data. It isn’t all too often that you simply read articles where the poster knows what they’re running a blog regarding. Grammar and punctuational are spot on too, only trouble We seemed to possess had been mentioning the website, seemed sluggish. Looks like additional visitors experienced exactly the same difficulty? mix parlay online
Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write on my website something like that. Can I take a fragment of your post to my site? mix parlay online
Aw, this became an exceptionally nice post. In idea I must put in writing in this way additionally – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and also by no means appear to go done. parlay bola
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often! 使蒂諾斯
Sweet Puff bubbler pipes are stylish and practical smoking accessories, designed to provide smoother and more refined smoke sessions. These compact, hand-held glass pipes incorporate a water chamber, similar to a bong, which cools and filters the smoke before inhalation. This filtration process helps to reduce the harshness on the throat and lungs, offering a cleaner, more flavorful experience. Known for their vibrant colors, artistic designs, and portability, Sweet Puff Bubbler are perfect for both casual smokers and collectors.
They are easy to use and maintain, making them ideal for on-the-go use or discreet sessions. Whether used for herbs or tobacco, these bubbler pipes offer a perfect balance between convenience, aesthetics, and performance, ensuring a satisfying smoking experience with minimal irritation and maximum flavor.
This presents itself fully suitable. Almost all these modest points were created in conjunction with great deal of heritage realizing. I adore that lots. Tegus for sale
Thank you, I have just been looking for information about this subject for ages and yours is the best I’ve discovered till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source? sub sandwiches
Their comprehensive security protocols and solutions help safeguard sensitive information, ensuring peace of mind for users and businesses alike.
I think other website owners should take this internet site as an model, very clean and wonderful user friendly design . 카지노 홀덤사이트
A thought-provoking article from a true thinker! I find many of the points relatable. Eager to see more from this writer! Futmax
Lebensechte Sexpuppen bieten eine realistische und anpassbare Alternative für diejenigen, die nach einer intensiveren und individuelleren Erfahrung suchen. Dank moderner Technologien und Materialien fühlen sich diese Puppen erstaunlich realistisch an und können nach den persönlichen Vorlieben gestaltet werden. Für viele Menschen bieten sie nicht nur körperliche Nähe, sondern auch emotionale Unterstützung, indem sie Einsamkeit mindern. Es ist wichtig, den wachsenden Markt für lebensechte Sexpuppen zu verstehen, da er die sich verändernden sozialen und emotionalen Bedürfnisse vieler Menschen widerspiegelt. lebensechte sexpuppe