Bruckner’s Sixth Symphony remains one of the least performed of his symphonies, though in recent years a spate of recordings has revealed it to be one of the composer’s boldest creations. Mena uses the Nowak edition, though for once the differences between it and the earlier Haas edition are minimal. The rhythmic complexities of the opening movement, the achingly beautiful music of the Adagio, the folksy wit of the Scherzo and the tricky tempo relationships of the Finale are an exceptional challenge for any conductor; Mena, for the most part, proves himself a master of this difficult score.
The opening minutes promise great things: the orchestra’s sound has exceptional body, with refulgent winds (especially the horns) and burnished strings, all anchored by incisive timpani. Mena’s tempo for the opening Maestoso is just right, imparting nobility without sounding rushed (as it sometimes does with Rattle and Karajan). The engineers capture a remarkable balance between the orchestral sections, ensuring the complicated rhythmic writing is heard with startling clarity.
Bruckner described this symphony as ‘die keckste” (the sassiest) and that is an apt description of this performance. Mena is masterful at segueing between Bruckner’s musical paragraphs, and the build up to climaxes is unerringly judged. Chandos’ deep and wide soundstage is exactly what this music requires, fully capturing the BBC Philharmonic’s thrilling power. It makes a stark contrast to the disappointingly two-dimensional sound of Rattle’s recent recording with the London Symphony.
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The Adagio is problematic. Not the sophisticated, fulsome, and nuanced playing, but the tempo, which is simply too slow. Mena’s 20’28” performance is the longest I have ever heard. By comparison, Haitink conducts the movement in 15’19”, Rattle in 17’18”, Janowski in 17’38”, and Karajan in 18’58”. This might be the first recording to break the 20-minute barrier. Undoubtedly, Mena is striving to create a mystical experience, and his control is undeniably masterly. The orchestral response is beautiful. But the result, at least for me, is torpid and unconvincing. These performers took this work to the Proms in 2012 – the performance can be watched on YouTube – and it does seem to cast its spell on the audience. Perhaps hearing it live would prove more convincing, but for repeated listening, Haitink’s more flowing tempo finds an intensity that is simply absent from this reading.
The Scherzo is far more satisfying, in part because of its speedy tempo, which ironically ignores Bruckner’s “Nicht schnell” (Not fast) instruction. Nevertheless, the orchestra revels in the music’s playful nature, making for a nimble and high-spirited reading. The balancing of color in the Trio is masterly (Mena’s tempo choice again well-nigh perfect), the horns especially ebullient.
The last movement is as impressive as the first, with fabulous brass, wonderfully supple woodwinds, and incisive, energized strings. This is writing that can easily seem episodic and disjointed (as it does in Janowski’s performance with the Suisse Romande Orchestra on Pentatone). Here transitions have an organic and seamless inevitability. More importantly, Mena recognizes the folksy, indeed, sassy nature of this music, refusing to make it loftier than it is. The return of the first movement’s opening theme in the final moments is especially thrilling.
Stephen Johnson’s program notes are erudite and engaging. Stephen Rinker’s engineered sound is spectacular, and the playing of the BBC Philharmonic is impassioned – clearly Mena inspires them. The recording was made in July 2012, just before the performance at the Proms. If pressed to recommend a single recording, Haitink’s last recording with the Bavarian RSO has a natural authority, an even surer sense of ebb and flow and structure that is surely the result of conducting Bruckner’s music for decades. Yet Mena, for the most part, is equally impressive, and I admire his imaginative ideas and willingness to take interpretive risks. This is an intensely musical performance and would welcome more Bruckner from this team.
Bruckner – Symphony No. 6, WAB 106, Edited by Leopold Nowak
BBC Philharmonic
Juanjo Mena – Conductor
Chandos Records, CD 20221
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