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197.0. "Bruckner 4th" by GRAFIX::CHALTAS () Thu Oct 17 1985 18:47

Bruckner, Symphony #4, ORIGINAL VERSION.
Teldec (Imported by Pro Arte, made in Japan).
Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra
No one famous conducting (can't remember his name).

Maybe you haven't heard of this orchestra (unless you live near
Frankfurt), but they certainly play well.  My only objection was to
the oboes, which were not to my admittedly picky taste.

This is not the Bruckner 4th symphony you are probably familiar with.
This is his first "draft", as it were, which Bruckner substantially
revised to make the finished product.  Only the first movement is similar
to the final version, although there is much material in the last movement
that was also retained.  Bruckner was certainly right to continue work on
the piece, but I found it fascinating to note the many places where an
idea was reshaped and strengthed in the later version.  Alas, much good
material also had to be discarded.  I am particularly fond of the quintuplets
used (often against quadruplets) to great effect in the last movement.

Fascinating stuff, played for all it's worth.    

Note that many years ago a DG recording with Eugen Jochum was issued of
the "Original Version" of Bruckner's 4th.  That was NOT the Original Version,
but rather the Final Version without damage by editors.  As far as I this
new recording is the only one of the Original Version.  Not to be missed
if you love Bruckner.  

Footnote:  For those near southern New Hampshire, this is the same version
that had its US premier in Durham about 6 years ago, played by the
New Hampshire Symphony under James Bolle.  It was video taped, and shown
on PBS throughout the country.