This is probably the seminal recording of Bruckner’s sprawling, majestic work. I actually first heard the piece at the National Center for the Performing Arts (known locally as “The Egg”) in Beijing, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Bernard Haitink. What is impressive about the piece is its sheer majesty – it requires a full, 90 piece orchestra to perform, and lasts for well over an hour. Pieces in it remind me of hunting scenes, with flugelhorns sounding the chase, and the piece is never less than thrilling. It also has it’s little jokes – the score demands the inclusion of one crash of the cymbals and a two second tinkling of the triangle to signify a thunderstorm and rain at the end of one passage – necessitating two specific musicians for each role. It’s a long way to travel to Beijing from Chicago for a two second tinkle of a triangle!
The CSO performance with Haidink (who is shortly to retire) is available, but for me it is Rattles interpretation that gives it just a slight degree more zest. If you like Wagner, you’ll enjoy Bruckner, and I would recommend checking out this work, his most acclaimed piece.