MusicWeb International review has third review for the Pittsburgh Symphony and Manfred Honeck’s new recording of Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony:
“My keenness to review this release was engendered by the enthusiastic critical acclaim generated by the two previous offerings. … Any newcomer, who sets forth on the well-trodden road of a work such as this, will be expected to bring something new to the score. Honeck succeeds admirably, to my mind, in furnishing his reading with a wealth of insights, based on meticulous research, and coming up with the goods – a revelatory performance. … This is an edge-of-the-seat performance in exceptionally warm, resonant and well-focused, sound, with a wide dynamic range. The Heinz Hall provides a sympathetic acoustic, allowing instrumental detail to be realized with clarity and definition. I will single out for special mention the exceptionally fine brass section, whose burnished tone rings out to striking effect at climaxes. The performance itself has all the spontaneity and excitement of a live concert, with audience participation in no way intrusive. … I can confidently add Honeck’s thrilling performance to my list of favorites.” —Stephen Greenbank, MusicWeb International
Read Stephen Greenbank’s full review on www.musicweb-international.com