Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 »Romantic«

VALERY GERGIEV
MÜNCHNER PHILHARMONIKER

Bruckner himself used the epithet »Romantic« to describe his Fourth Symphony. The experience of the many-faceted manifestations of nature is at the very heart of the work. Only when he was revising his composition did Bruckner add the famous »Hunt Scherzo« in third position.

The Munich Philharmonic has arguably given more performances of Anton Bruckner’s music than any other orchestra. A great number of Bruckner recordings lead by the many legendary conductors that have worked for and with the Munich Philharmonic are stored in the historical archive of the MPHIL Label including magnificent pieces with Sergiu Celibidache, Christian Thielemann, Rudolf Kempe, Günter Wand and Oswald Kabasta.

In the Monastery of St. Florian fascinating a setting with unique historical significance in this context, the Munich Philharmonic and Valery Gergiev present the most spectacular and ambitious cycle of Anton Bruckner’s symphonies. All performances took place in the Monastery of St. Florian in Linz, a venue inextricably linked to the composer and his final resting place. The recordings are available on the orchestra’s very own label MPHIL.

Valery Gergiev on the experience of making these recordings: »The Munich Philharmonic are incredible, talented players. They combine this technical ability with a deep group experience in the music of Bruckner. I treasure and am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with these musicians and want people around the world to hear the music we make together.«

Valery Gergiev has paid the Austro-German repertoire particular attention throughout his career, which ignited a lasting fascination for Anton Bruckner. Over recent decades he has continued to explore the Austro-German repertoire, garnering adulation, especially for his interpretations of Wagner, Strauss, Mahler and Bruckner – music that is at the very heart of the Munich Philharmonic’s repertoire.

ANTON BRUCKNER: Symphony No. 4, WAB 104
1. Bewegt, nicht zu schnell
2. Andante quasi Allegretto
3. Scherzo: Bewegt – Trio: Nicht zu schnell. Keinesfalls schleppend
4. Finale: Bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell

RECORDING DATE: 26. September 2017
LOCATION: Stiftsbasilika St. Florian, Austria
PRODUCER: Johannes Müller
BALANCE ENGINEER: Stephan Reh
RECORDING ASSISTANTS: Martin Shi, Jón H. Geirfinnsson
EDITOR: Johannes Müller, Martin Shi
REMIXING ENGINEER: Stephan Reh
MASTERING ENGINEER: Christoph Stickel
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Münchner Philharmoniker