  A.Bruckner, Symphony No.1 (1891 “Vienna” version) C.Abbado / Lucerne FO Accentus     |
Stepchild in Lovechild Treatment
“Abbado uncovered the radical nature of [this Symphony]” wrote Die Welt after the 2012 Lucerne Festival performance. Unlikely—Abbado isn’t so much the man for musical insights and un-coverings, than simply top-notch execution. The surprise-effect isn’t what Abbado did with this one of four stepchildren among Bruckner’s 11 Symphonies, but that he played it at all. Everything typical for Bruckner is already in this work; much sounds like a pre-echo of the more famous symphonies to come, but altogether more impetuously and pithy. With the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Abbado gives the work the loving and big-name treatment that helps propel the easily overlooked gem to our deserved attention.
