Marcus Bosch and the Aachen Symphony Orchestra have recorded the "Urfassung" or original versions of Anton Bruckner's symphonies for their super-audio cycle on Coviello, though sticking exclusively to these first-state compositions can have its ups and downs. In the case of Bruckner's later symphonies, the music was often substantially reworked over multiple editions, as it was with the Symphony No. 3 in D minor, and even wholly recomposed, as in the Finale of the Symphony No. 4 in E flat major, "Romantic." Thus, one must ...
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Marcus Bosch and the Aachen Symphony Orchestra have recorded the "Urfassung" or original versions of Anton Bruckner's symphonies for their super-audio cycle on Coviello, though sticking exclusively to these first-state compositions can have its ups and downs. In the case of Bruckner's later symphonies, the music was often substantially reworked over multiple editions, as it was with the Symphony No. 3 in D minor, and even wholly recomposed, as in the Finale of the Symphony No. 4 in E flat major, "Romantic." Thus, one must be careful to know the major differences in Bruckner's symphonies and prepared to hear unexpected things, depending on which editions one is acquainted with. Fortunately for listeners who are faced with choosing a good recording of this particular symphony, there are relatively few changes between the first and later versions. Indeed, the chief difference is that the original version is the longest, as opposed to the 1877 revised version, where it was shortened by some 250 measures....
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