Anton Bruckner - Symphonie No.5 (1992) (Kurt Eichhorn, BRSO)

The best creation myth known to me is not the Book of Genesis nor the first chapter in the Gospel of St John; nor is it the marvellous ‘Ainulindalë’ (Tolkein) where the whole shebang is brought into being by the One (Ilúvatar) and a choir of immortals. No, for me, the best indication of what happened 14.3 billion years ago (in a physical and cosmological sense) is Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony. It tables ‘creatio ex nihilo’ in the first big blaze up. Parenthesis occurs in the finale where Alpha and Omega become one. From a musical point of view, it makes mockery of Ecclesiastes’ statement that there’s nothing new under the sun.
“Leave Bruckner to dodgy old Germanics” is a cardinal precept of the Australian Knappertsbusch Association. Truth to tell, they don’t come any more dodgy than Kurt Eichhorn. Wikiepedia states: “Hitler's annexation of the Sudetenland provided Eichhorn with career openings in Teplice (1939) and Karlovy Vary (1941-1943). He began conducting at the far more significant Dresden State Opera in 1941, and was a conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic in 1944.” From what I can tell, Eichhorn was not a member of the Party. His career resumed immediately after the War.
Man, this is the real deal. It’s the best Fifth I’ve heard in ages. Underwritten by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra at its most aureate, it doesn’t come any more idiomatic than this. This is slow, majestic Bruckner, played at white heat and super-charged with tension and drama. Eichhorn’s grip is ferrous-like. For once, a conductor other than Karajan elects to play the slow movement at the tempo that it deserves – not these dreadful fifteen minute jobs. You’ll find more constellations and stars in this finale than a globular cluster. Come its apotheosis – Bruckner at his greatest – one is afire and exultant. The recording is first class in every way – and the spacious acoustic ( a place called St Florians) seals victory.
This performance comes with a cast-iron guarantee from the Australian Knappertsbusch Association. It now forms one of my primary recommendations alongside Karajan, Celibidache, Barenboim / BP (sans slow movement) and Furtwängler / BP (sans slow movement).~Amazon

Track listing
01. I. Introduction: Adagio - Allegro (21:09)
02. II. Adagio (17:34)
03. III. Scherzo: Molto vivace (14:22)
04. IV. Finale: Adagio - Allegro moderato (26:11)



Thx to el coronel