Bruckner: Symphony No.4
Christian Thielemann / Vienna Philharmonic (Sony)
(scroll down for English review)
蒂利文與維也納愛樂的布魯克納系列第三集，本來對這系列興趣不大，因為蒂利文實在太常演奏布魯克納，又在德累斯頓錄了影碟的全集。從開頭聽也覺得很一般，典型維也納愛樂的例行工事演奏。但在另一個時候我聽第四樂章，又覺得出奇地柔和，不是說布魯克納必須這樣，而是想不到可以這麼柔，又能夠歌唱出旋律、塑造到句子，音符又能奏得清楚。燦爛音色留給每個樂章的最後，只是未必會去到大部分人的要求，絕對不是用來爆機的演奏。
After recording a video cycle with Staatskapelle Dresden Thielemann is now in the process of doing the same thing with the Vienna Philharmonic, as audio releases. The third volume has them playing the Fourth, a bread-and-butter piece for the orchestra. I was initially underwhelmed, even bored by the first movement. But I started again at the fourth movement and I was surprised by the mellow playing, even by the usual Vienna standards.
I don’t mean to say that Bruckner should be played this away but it’s ear-opening that such soft playing could render the notes, phrases and melodies so articulately. Thielemann reserved the grandest sound to the end of each movement, but I think those wouldn’t amazed most seasoned listeners, especially audiophiles.