Bruckner – Symphony No.6
Orchestre Metropolitain du Grand Montréal; Yannick Nézet-Séguin
ATMA ACD2 2639
Ludwig Spiedel, the 19th-century German writer on music and theatre, once referred to the music of Anton Bruckner saying: “It is no common mortal who speaks to us in this music.” This was high praise indeed, particularly as the Austrian-born composer who lived from 1824 to 1896 has sometimes been unfairly compared to his more renowned contemporary Johannes Brahms. Yet Bruckner now seems to have come into his own, and among his many admirers is the Quebec conductor extraordinaire Yannick Nézet-Séguin who has already recorded Symphonies Nos. 4, 7, 8 and 9 on the Atma Classisque label, and has now turned his attentions to the Sixth, again with the Orchestre Métropolitain.
Written between 1879 and 1881, this symphony is the music of a composer at mid-life, confident in his abilities and looking to the future with optimism. The large four-movement work reflects this forward-looking attitude, and is treated here with great aplomb. From the bold and passionate opening movement through the languorous Adagio, a lively Scherzo and the exuberant Finale with its prolific use of brass, the orchestra demonstrates a deep engagement with the music, displaying rich tonal colours and a full dynamic range. This is indeed music making with a true sense of grandeur. It seems that everything Nézet-Séguin and the OM choose to play turns to gold, and this disc is no exception. It’s a must-have for devotees of Bruckner’s music, and it may even sway those who up to now have stayed away. Highly recommended.
Bruckner – Symphony No.6
Orchestre Metropolitain du Grand Montréal; Yannick Nézet-Séguin
ATMA ACD2 2639
Ludwig Spiedel, the 19th-century German writer on music and theatre, once referred to the music of Anton Bruckner saying: “It is no common mortal who speaks to us in this music.” This was high praise indeed, particularly as the Austrian-born composer who lived from 1824 to 1896 has sometimes been unfairly compared to his more renowned contemporary Johannes Brahms. Yet Bruckner now seems to have come into his own, and among his many admirers is the Quebec conductor extraordinaire Yannick Nézet-Séguin who has already recorded Symphonies Nos. 4, 7, 8 and 9 on the Atma Classisque label, and has now turned his attentions to the Sixth, again with the Orchestre Métropolitain.
Written between 1879 and 1881, this symphony is the music of a composer at mid-life, confident in his abilities and looking to the future with optimism. The large four-movement work reflects this forward-looking attitude, and is treated here with great aplomb. From the bold and passionate opening movement through the languorous Adagio, a lively Scherzo and the exuberant Finale with its prolific use of brass, the orchestra demonstrates a deep engagement with the music, displaying rich tonal colours and a full dynamic range. This is indeed music making with a true sense of grandeur. It seems that everything Nézet-Séguin and the OM choose to play turns to gold, and this disc is no exception. It’s a must-have for devotees of Bruckner’s music, and it may even sway those who up to now have stayed away. Highly recommended.
—Richard Haskell
