Audition: Bruckner Symphony No 6 - Frankfurt RSO/Paavo Jarvi #Brucknerthon2025

 RCA SACD 2015

As I’ve mentioned before, radio orchestras across the world have a distinct advantage over regular orchestras: they have to be adventurous and they provide great opportunities for very good musicians,

They also cultivate a particular sound and attract a particular quality of conductor.

Bruckner’s Sixth Symphony is perhaps a little unbalanced not least because of it’s glorious slow movement - which had Donald Francis Tovey panting over it’s rich harmonies. The first movement harks back to Beethoven and its finale with the declamatory and busy climax.

Jarvi is a fabulous conductor of this kind of work and he knows just how to balance the momentum of this behemoth with the wide range of expression and detail required from the players. His orchestra is excellent and the recording likewise.

The first movement is quick and although all the attention is on the brass Harvey is alive to the details in the string section. The winds get their moments in the sun too. It’s notable that in a movement where attack is important he is sensitive and playful with these tremendous brass entries.

The second movement has a rich background though there’s some weakness in the winds at times. Likewise the Scherzo and Trio - the end of the latter is dragged out.

Jarvi makes a good case for the finale which to my ear always seems too busy. He’s perhaps at his best in the string interludes. Certainly the final bars are a bit messy with the brass too dominant. And ultimately it sounds as the end creeps up on him…or maybe that’s the only way this music can stop!

Interpretation: 9 out of ten

Recording: 10 out of ten

Performance: 9 out of ten