Audition: Bruckner - Symphony No. 2, Chicago SO/Barenboim #Brucknerthon2025

Barenboim’s first Bruckner Second was recorded in one day but you’d hardly know it. This is a heart warming account of this symphony and there is plenty of wonderful moments.

The symphony exists in 11 different versions on the fabulous Berky Bruckner database. This means it is a problem child.  Barenboim opts for the mixed 1872/77 version edited by Haas but doesn’t even stick to that - dropping the weird woodwind segue in the finale. And he is in good company.

It was recorded on 25 March 1981 in Orchestra Hall Chicago with the Chicago symphony and was part of full set. The recording was just too early for digital recording but that’s all to the good as the sound is fantastic. The combination of the hall, the orchestra and Deutsche Grammophon’s exquisite engineering made for the most enjoyable experience.

Barenboim makes a lot of the quieter joining passages and those moments when Bruckner is in repose. In the first movement we can enjoy the springy rhythms and orchestral precision. It’s not as bold as some but Barenboim seems to be more patient with Bruckner than some.

He deals with the composer’s slightly controlling tempo markings halfway into the Adagio where there are three tempo markings in six bars too.

I felt Barenboim’s approach to the Scherzo was a bit rigid at first, and when we get podium noise just before the Trio one wonders if he’s having trouble bringing the orchestra with him. Again parts of the Trio are a bit slow. Overall it doesn’t have the snap, crackle and pop of other readings.

Not long into the Finale before Barenboim introduces a ritardando before an ff climax. He’s also stretching and squashing the pulse of this finale which I find unnecessary. More podium noise and a trumpet line which hardly appears tempered my admiration of this recording.

The early Bruckner symphonies are often the product of many hands on the page but I didn’t get the feeling Barenboim had a settled view. But it’s worth it for the sound of the orchestra when it’s glorious which isn’t very often.

Recording: 7 out of 10

Interpretation: 7 out of 10

Performance: 7 out of 10