Thomas Dausgaard conducts the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra for the new volume of their acclaimed Bruckner cycle on BIS, Symphony No. 4 “Romantic” (Second Version 1878 – 1880). The album is available in stores and online now.
BIS writes, “’Nothing like this has been written since Beethoven,’ conductor Hans Richter is said to have declared after the successful premiere of Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony in Vienna in 1881. This success finally gave the 56-year-old composer the attention and recognition he sorely needed and one can affirm that it was from this day onwards that Bruckner was actually cultivated in Vienna after years of public humiliation. Despite its nickname given by the composer himself, this symphony in no way expresses existential pain. Rather, the romanticism refers to the experience of nature – from sublime forest magic to hunting scenes – emphasized by the horn, the quintessential romantic instrument, which is given a prominent role.”
Praise for Thomas Dausgaard & the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra Bruckner Cycle
Bruckner: Symphony No. 3
“This is a magnificent performance of a notoriously controversial work…Dausgaard is…a much-needed fresh interpreter of this great and still widely misunderstood symphonist. I can only hope that he continues with this great master’s works.” – BBC Music Magazine, 5 Stars
Bruckner: Symphony No. 6
“Dausgaard, taking fairly swift tempos, and conducting with a strong rhythmic sense, has this enigmatic work bounding along and at least made me understand why Bruckner called it ‘the cheekiest’. Dausgaard has his wind players, especially his oboes and clarinets, getting up to mischief whenever possible…Anyone approaching this work for the first time, and wondering why it has its Cinderella status, should listen to this and will wonder still more.” – BBC Music Magazine, 5 Stars
“Dausgaard’s reading is so in-the-moment that if your ears can adjust, he makes the music feel vibrantly alive”. – Fanfare
Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 in Eb Major Romantic
1878/1880 Version
I. Bewegt, nicht zu schnell
II. Andante quasi Allegrettto
III. Scherzo
IV. Finale
