Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 (Celibidache)

Introduction

A live perfomance of Bruckner`s final, unfinished symphony from 1969.

Video

Well, a black & white italian TV recording from the late 60s isn`t going to get you too excited, however the image is nice and clean. A few camera wobbles are the only real issues.

Audio

TV mono sound for a symphony such as this can only, at best, leave you thinking you`re listening to a transistor radio in another part of the house, with all the doors shut in between you and the radio.

If you`re lucky enough to have a decent amplifier, then it`s best to search around for a decent setting. On my Yamaha, `Pro-logic II - Music` seemed to be the best for me. This improved things dramatically and brought out an impressive amount of detail in the orchestra, if not the depth of sound you would expect from audio recordings of the same period.

Features

Nothing on the disc, although there`s a helpful amount of spiel within the accompanying booklet.

Conclusion

What is it with audiences in classical concerts?! The piece starts in hushed tones, and they`re still chatting to their neighbour, adjusting themeslves in their chairs, and in some cases (judging by this DVD) adjusting themselves elsewhere. It`s almost as if they haven`t noticed a 60-ish strong orchestra on stage in front of them, with some long-haired hippy in his late 50s waving his arms around.

Luckily for us, this particular hippy knows his stuff and directs a very powerful account of a piece which was probably not that well-known at the time of the recording.

It`s often mentioned that Sergiu Celibidache conducted some things at relatively slow tempi, but despite the `in three rather than one` Scherzo there`s nothing obvious that drags (in fact, the violins have a little trouble with the pizzicato at this speed so anything faster and somone would have had to pick up sliced fingertips for days afterwards).

He also seems to have a clear idea about when the real climax in each movement should occur, something few conductors can do. In this respect, it reminded me of Gunther Wand`s amazing live performance from Berlin (on `Red Seal` CD), so not at all bad then!

The orchestra (all men it seems - oh how times have changed) play very well indeed overall, and I suspect (whether they knew it or not), gave the audience an experience they were very unlikely to have again.

And speaking of audiences, as I`m not sure I`ve mentioned them yet, what the hell goes on in their collective head that makes them start applauding within a second of this work finishing?! It destroys any effect that the symphony has been building within the previous hour.. and, to be honest, makes a mockery of Celibidache`s distaste for recorded performances. The Wand recording was also live, but all applause had been removed. If the same thing had happened here, then it would have impressed even more. Even the conductor looked annoyed, but at least it was in the days before mobile phones...