This is not he first specifically Haitink Bruckner 7 on Classical Explorer: we did a short post on a DVD of a Vienna performance here.
There is something about the gorgeous warmth of found of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks) that suits Bruckner, though, and again here is an orchestra with a venerable history in this composer’s music, notably through Kubelik.
This is before the plethora of “clean” editions of Bruckner, so it comes as no surprise that Haitink uses the 1885 Novak score. Haitink’s Bavarian Bruckner hails from November 1981, live in Munich’s Herkulesaal.
Pretty much every Haitink Bruckner 7 (Vienna, Chicago, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic …) convinces you it’s the one, and maybe the best is the one you’re listening to at the time. But there is something about the level of detail here, each exquisitely handcrafted, from the handover of flute to clarinet, so perfectly achieved, o first violins alone so impeccably together, to the perfectly blended brass, that makes this version stand out.
The journey to the coda of the first movement is a masterclass in structural thought, the pay-off immense. It is the logical outgrowth of all that precedes it:
The slow movement is an epic tale. Haitink reveals an unexpected sectionality while always maintaining the big goals. The great Wagner tuba moment is indeed heavenly. And yes, there’s a whopping great cymbal clash:
The performance moves straight into the Scherzo with almost zero gap. Perhaps here the Trio is over-loved a touch,
The finale, though, is full of life. Brickner does as for it “nicht schnell” (not fast) but with movement: Haitink is fast at the opening, beyond doubt, the grandeur kicking in later.
This disc is available at Amazon here, iDagio here.
