Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski - Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 in E major (2010)

Bruckner's Seventh Symphony may top the list of Bruckner's most important compositions for it was not until its premiere that the composer's symphonic works were finally given due consideration by both the public and contemporary critics. Bruckner was a devout fan of Wagner, and this Seventh Symphony is inextricably tied to him by choice of instrumentation, compositional elements, and of course the second-movement Adagio, which was written around the time of Wagner's death.
Conductor Stanislaw Skrowaczewski leads the Saarbrucken RSO in yet another masterful performance. There can be no doubt as to why Skrowaczewski is heralded as such a master of Bruckner's works. The connection between conductor and orchestra seems almost organic and the ensemble truly performs as if it were a single instrument. Every section of the orchestra is equally deserving of recognition. The brass are particularly strong without ever being too forceful or covering the busy inner voices. But it is the string playing in the second movement that is truly the highlight of this recording. The mournful Adagio is infused with both serenity and introspection by the warm, brooding tone of the string section. The dynamic control and subtle crescendos and diminuendos make listening to this movement an enjoyable experience. Like Skrowaczewski's other recordings of Bruckner symphonies, this album deserves a place of honor on any collector's shelf.