LPO, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski - Bruckner: Symphony No 5 (2016) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

This live concert recording features renowned Bruckner expert Stanisaw Skrowaczewski, who commands a rare position within the international musical scene, being both a renowned conductor and a highly-regarded composer. This recording is an interpretation of humility from nonagenarian Stanisaw Skrowaczewski, a performance in which the listener can hear the remarkable connection between conductor and the London Philharmonic Orchestra; the Orchestra has performed Bruckner's symphonies under his baton many times. Anton Bruckner's Fifth Symphony is one of the grandest of his so-called 'cathedrals in sound'. From the first movement's monumental tone, via the dance-haunted Scherzo, to the beautiful yet finally enigmatic Adagio, Bruckner's 'fantastic' Fifth ends with a triumphant orchestral finale, among the finest ever written. Skrowaczewski's interpretation of Bruckner's Symphony No. 3 with the LPO is also available on the LPO's record label (LPO-0084). Released in 2015, the recording received excellent reviews, with BBC Radio 3 commenting that 'it sounds throughout as if the LPO is completely in sympathy with the conductor's carefully controlled approach … It feels right, end to end.' This recording was taken from a live concert performance at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on Saturday 31 October 2015.

The reputation of Bruckner's Fifth Symphony is served marvellously by this inspirational live performance from the LPO under Stanislaw Skrowaczewski. –Music Web, July'16

A performance of exceptional insight and concentration. Gramophone, Aug'16 /// It's a very special performance that conbine grandeur, warmth of feeling and the kind of unsettling playfulness the nickname implies(Fantastic Symphony). Stanislaw Skrowaczewski achieves it so resoundingly. Performance **** Recording **** –BBC Music Magazine,October'16

The veteran Stanislaw Skrowaczewski presides over compellingly lucid performance … and the orchestral playing is pingingly good given the live provenance. A very happy occasion, deservedly cheered to the rafters. Classical Ear, July'16 /// The continuing of Stanislaw Skrowaczewski into his nineties is testament to a conductor (and no mean composer) whose career has been characterised by sheer consistency as regards interpretative priorities. Bruckner has been central from the outset, with this account of the Fifth Symphony following on from the Third and the Seventh as the fruits of his recent association with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. –Classical Source, Aug'16

TRACKLIST

Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)

Symphony No. 5 in B flat major
1 I. Adagio - Allegro 21:27
2 II. Adagio: Sehr langsam 18:09
3 III. Scherzo: Molto vivace (Schnell) – Trio: Im gleichen Tempo 13:16
4 IV. Finale: Adagio - Allegro moderato 25:22

PERSONNEL
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Stanisław Skrowaczewski, conductor