Symphony No. 7 in E major

Anton Bruckner

Recordings

Top Choice

Herbert von Karajan / Berlin Philharmonic

1975

Gil's top choice, calling it 'the most dramatic.' The scherzo is 'out of this world, and the recording is just excellent.' Part of a top cycle.

Also Worth Hearing

Herbert von Karajan / Berlin Philharmonic

1971

Also 'great... a little bit more mellow... it's got this ethereal quality.'

Label: EMI

Herbert von Karajan / Vienna Philharmonic

1988

Preferred by some for its 'more reflective quality,' but Gil prefers the 'greater energy and drama' of the earlier ones.

Bernard Haitink / Concertgebouw

1978

'Unforced, natural... just lets the music happen... gorgeous' sound and playing.

Karl Böhm / Vienna Philharmonic

1976

'Gorgeous playing, gorgeous sound quality... very natural... very, very noble interpretation.'

Riccardo Chailly / Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra

1984

'Slightly more understated... got this beautiful ethereal quality to it and the sound quality is so good.'

Wilhelm Furtwängler / Berlin Philharmonic

May 1, 1951 Live in Rome

Gil says Furtwängler 'knew how to just bring that drama full throttle.' He praises the 'great drama, great beauty of phrasing' and the adagio's 'pathos... emotional wallop.'