Bruckner: Symphony No. 3 in D Minor, WAB 103 "Wagner" (1873 Version, Ed. L. Nowak)

“… He’s [Poschner] sensitive to the varying moods of the music – the lyrical themes blossom – and, unlike many other “horizontal” Bruckner conductors, he never lets the music feel inappropriately light: his deliberate, purposeful shaping of the climaxes invests them with the necessary tonal weight… Sonics are full and wide-ranging, with good localization of the various string sections, though the resonant ambience gives high trumpet notes a bit of an edge.”

“… The opening bars are exciting, and the splendid entry by the trumpet allows the conductor to achieve greater intensity in this passage, developing the sense of expectation. The unfamiliar swift tempo adopted by Poschner is justified by what he creates. This movement is supposed to portray God and Nature, and there is much greatness in Poschner’s interpretation… In the Adagio, the conductor handles the tempos and themes wonderfully by obtaining terrific string playing, the woodwind in particular being outstanding… The lively tone continues in the Finale. Allegro, with superbly executed orchestral playing and again, the brass group is exceptional. Poschner makes his tempos work very well by generating a build-up of excitement with spirited Ländler leading to a remarkable culmination to this great symphony… This release is obligatory for those who already have the previous discs in this series and the growing number of Bruckner enthusiasts.

“…It is an interpretation rich in contrasts that clearly brings out the mesh of motifs, impressively presenting us with the architecture of the composer’s multi-dimensional world of thought. Rapid and brisk tempi, to the point of breathlessness, and dynamic differences that astonish, as well as abrupt gestures, characterize the first movement and with it Bruckner’s sense of inner uncertainty, which continues in the Adagio. Poschner not only shapes this solemnly and sensitively, but he likewise expresses the movement’s sense of conflict… The orchestra plays very well, and the sound recording is spacious and has depth appropriate to the work.” ****