I am happy to see more positive reviews of this recording. Recording is not just a technical thing even though some may think so. It is a work of art, it shows the perspective of the recording engineer, his/her view of the performance. Isn't that what art is, different ways of looking at life and presenting it in a masterfully crafted way.
This one has a perspective that has been carefully and masterfully executed. It may not have the strongest colors or most vivid contrasts according to some but it is a beautiful and a natural perspective. I hope they continue with this series too.
I think the famous second, slow movement, written in anticipation of Richard Wagner's death, is gorgeous too. It is glorious how it modulates through a myriad of keys during its long, inexorable buildup to the big climax. In my view that extended buildup is one of the greatest in all of music.
I never quite appreciated the Finale until I realized that the bouncy, feathery, dancelike first theme in light strings and the heavily stomping third theme in brass are from very similar material, presented in different keys. As the music develops, it becomes a battle of that musical material with itself. When I listen to it that way, I think it's fantastic music. The chorale-like slow second theme provides wonderful contrast.
My copy (#783) came today. Just listened to it. Beautiful; just beautiful. The packaging is quite nice too. A book, copy of the program from the event, ticket stub, a few pages of the score with Haitink’s notes, etc. Very nice. Love it
Fwiw, John F. Berky who runs the www.abruckner.com discography (easily the best Bruckner site in English) is offering the Haitink D2D 7th for $195 + media mail shipping. US only. Limited copies.
I also got an email with shipping notice yesterday. The email said something about 7 working days for delivery so I didn’t pay too much attention. Maybe I’ll get mine today too.
Tracking mine on USPS app after receiving the shipping notification email on Tuesday. it is to be delivered to my home today... Unfortunately for the first time in months I’m out of town . Going to have my son go by and retrieve it once it is delivered so it is not sitting outside in the FL heat.
I expected more re. the sound quality from this LP. Everything is quite well balanced, I also can't criticize the portray of the soundstage but dynamics is definitely limited and that robs the listening experience of excitement, aliveness and drama. Instruments sound natural but there is quite some room for improvement in harmonic density. Although the orchestra is big and occupies the whole front wall, I think the transparency could be even better. To me this LP sounds very similar to the Brahms. I would prefer more demanding works from Shostakovich, Mahler or Stravinsky.
