Hun-Joung Lim, Korean Symphony Orchestra – Anton Bruckner: 9 Symphonies (2017) [Qobuz FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Anton Bruckner: 9 Symphonies (Decca) comes courtesy of the maestro Hun-Joung Lim and the Korean Symphony Orchestra. It has been a decade or more since the KSO (which recorded the seventh symphony under Jae-Dong Chung), the Suwon Philharmonic (which recorded the third, fourth, sixth, and eighth), and the Jeju Philharmonic (which recorded all nine) gave the world a Korean Bruckner—too long, according to Lim.

“Korean orchestras have a relatively short history,” he told Korea.net in 2013. “For that reason, they have had a very limited repertoire and rehashed a limited range of pieces. … Bruckner’s [works] can sound a bit plain and boring at first, but after repeated listens … you will find yourself infatuated by the very melodies and rhythms.”

Recorded live at the Seoul Arts Center from 2014 to 2016, Lim’s interpretations mix various editions of the symphonies, including two apiece by Nowak and Haas. Those interpretations unfold confidently but not brashly (especially the adagios), as if excessive deliberateness or excessive haste would shortchange the “melodies and rhythms” with which Lim is entranced.

The symphonies do not, however, sound circumscribed. Rather, they sound the way one might expect them to coming from an orchestra to whom Bruckner’s daunting complexities represent exciting new challenges. The audiences, punctuating the conclusion of every finale (and the final movement of the finale-free Symphony No. 9) with enthusiastic applause and bravos, obviously received the performances in that spirit.

Tracklist

Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)

Symphony No.1 in C Minor, WAB 101 – Version 1890/91 “Wiener Fassung”
1 1. Allegro 11:33
2 2. Adagio 11:22
3 3. Scherzo. Lebhaft/Trio langsam 08:52
4 4. Finale. Bewegt, feurig 14:56

Symphony No.2 In C Minor, WAB 102 – Ed. Leopold Nowak
5 1. Moderato 18:22
6 2. Andante: Feierlich, etwas bewegt 15:38
7 3. Scherzo: Mässig schnell 06:46
8 4. Finale: Mehr schnell 12:54

Symphony No.3 In D Minor, WAB 103 – Edition Leopold Nowak
9 1. Gemäßigt, mehr bewegt, misterioso 19:23
10 2. Andante: Bewegt, feierlich, quasi Adagio 14:19
11 3. Scherzo: Ziemlich schnell 06:33
12 4. Finale: Allegro 12:11

Symphony No.4 In E Flat Major – “Romantic”, WAB 104 – Version 1878/1880
13 1. Bewegt, nicht zu schnell 18:38
14 2. Andante quasi allegretto 16:16
15 3. Scherzo (Bewegt) – Trio (Nicht zu schnell. Keinesfalls schleppend) 11:04
16 4. Finale (Bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell) 22:26

Symphony No.5 In B Flat Major, WAB 105
17 1. Introduction (Adagio) – Allegro (Mäßig) 20:31
18 2. Adagio (Sehr langsam) 15:36
19 3. Scherzo (Molto vivace, schnell) – Trio. Im gleichenTempo 09:42
20 4. Finale (Adagio – Allegro moderato) 18:16

Symphony No. 6 In A Major, WAB 106
21 1. Maestoso 15:43
22 2. Adagio. Sehr feierlich 15:37
23 3. Scherzo. Nicht schnell – Trio. Langsam 08:35
24 4. Finale. Bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell 13:53

Symphony No.7 In E Major, WAB 107 – Ed. Haas
25 1. Allegro moderato 19:56
26 2. Adagio. Sehr feierlich und sehr langsam 21:13
27 3. Scherzo. Sehr schnell – Trio. Etwas langsamer 09:46
28 4. Finale. Bewegt, doch nicht schnell 13:23

Symphony No.8 In C Minor, WAB 108 – Version Robert Haas 1939
29 1. Allegro moderato 16:04
30 2. Scherzo: Allegro moderato (Live) 15:06
31 3. Adagio: Feierlich langsam; doch nicht schleppend 24:31
32 4. Finale: Feierlich, nicht schnell 23:25

Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, WAB 109
33 1. Feierlich. Misterioso 24:01
34 2. Scherzo (Bewegt lebhaft) – Trio (Schnell) 10:27
35 3. Adagio (Langsam, feierlich) 22:46

Personnel
Korean Symphony Orchestra
Hun-Joung Lim, conductor

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