BRUCKNER. Symphony No.2. Vienna PO/Giulini

My first reaction to hearing this disc was "Someone opened the windows and let the fresh air into this symphony." Corrupt text and all, this performance is absolutely gorgeous from beginning to end. The analogue sound is beatiful and rich, allowing us to hear every note of Bruckner's orchestration (particularly the winds, which emerge with astonishing clarity throughout the performance). The cellos' rendition of the second theme of the first movement is particularly beautiful. The scherzo is exciting, and the finale exultant. No matter how many interpretations of Bruckner symphonies you own, you need to add this one to your collection (and while you're at it, add Giulini's DGG performances of the Eighth and Ninth). You'll never hear more enjoyable Bruckner.

I do not like to read great, lengthy novels that have been abridged, nor do I like to listen to great lengthy symphonies that have been cut. This is what you get with this acclaimed recording. Giulini uses the 1877[Nowak Edition]version of this most lyrical of symphonies. and subsequently too many beautiful moments are lost, particularly in the finale. [Remember, that Bruckner was greatly disturbed by the contemporary reaction to the symphony].The Schubertian elements of this lovely work are downplayed,too, making this interpretation sound like a later Bruckner work.
Sure, the orchestra playing is impressive, the conducting is impressive, and the sound quality is more than acceptable, but not as impressive.
To return to the caveat, to hear this symphony in all its glory look no further than to Tintner on Naxos. It is cheaper, has better sound, distinguished conducting, and you get to hear the whole work, as it was intended. Compare the timing: Over 71 minutes for the Tintner, and a tad over 58 for the Giulini. If you are in a hurry, then the Giulini fits the bill. Otherwise look to Tintner.

I think most others have had a much more favorable response to this performance and interpretation than I have. It has the ingredients to be a great performance, but it falls quite short of that. In its favor, anything that Carlo Maria Giulini does is worth a listen, especially his Bruckner. He brings to this symphony a genuine understanding and reverence for Bruckner's astonishing music. The symphony gets off to an exceptionally strong start with the first movement, which is done better than any other performance I've heard. It's urgent, white-hot, and Giulini plays up the stresses and dissonances in the music more than most performances, setting up the rest of the symphony *really* well. And then it's all downhill from there. The second movement, one of the most spiritual movements Bruckner ever wrote, lies flat and inert, two-dimensional rather than three-dimensional. The third movement has no bite or urgency at all, it's more like a frolic. And the fourth movement, with the cuts observed (which totally disrupt the structure), seems in a rush to just get it over with, missing so much along the way. It's too bad, because I really think Giulini is capable of much better than this. Certainly his Bruckner performances grew more imposing as time went on, culminating in the overwhelmingly magnificent performance of Bruckner's 9th with the Vienna Philharmonic on DG--a must if you haven't purchased it.

Fortunately, there is a GREAT performance of Bruckner's 2nd available, and that's Karajan's performance with the Berlin Philharmonic on DG, available as a part of his boxed set, or as a single disc if you look for on the website that maintains a remarkable Arkiv (hint hint). While the sound is less than optimal, the performance is stunning and moving beyond words. Anyone who suggests that Bruckner's 2nd symphony is anything less than a masterpiece has not heard Karajan's white-hot, passionate, deeply spiritual, and tremendously moving performance. Those who love Bruckner must hear it. Horst Stein's recording with the Vienna Philharmonic on Decca/London is also very good, but certainly not in the same league as Karajan's definitive performance (though not definitive recording).

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