Symphony No. 7 in E major

Anton Bruckner

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.

Bernard Haitink / Concertgebouw

1978

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

Apple Music

Karl Böhm / Vienna Philharmonic

1976

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

Apple Music

Riccardo Chailly / Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra

1984

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

Apple Music

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.'