★★★★☆ A moving memorial for a great conductor, though Abbado is subdued and low on intensity

Bruckner: Symphony No. 9

I find myself trembling penning this review, surprised at my own audacity in delivering a critique so soon after our beloved Claudio Abbado passed away. Music lovers universally have mourned the loss of one of our greatest conductors. Despite Abbado's success in Mahler, he seems less suited to Bruckner, despite a generous assortment of discs on DG with the Vienna Phil. Abbado seemed unlikely to gain intensity last minute, given his fragile health, so I didn't expect this Bruckner 9th to truly compete with the best. Nonetheless, I'm too devoted a fan not to give it a listen.

Abbado seems calm and controlled in the opening. He gets a full sound from Lucerne, caught in great sound by DG. Heading into the lyrical second theme, he is fairly subdued and straightforward. This music sounded more passionate under Sir Simon Rattle on his recent recording with the Berlin Phil, and of course Karajan is the perfect exemplar of fire and intensity. Here the strings don't have a real full presence; there's not the sonority in full volume found in the best rival European orchestras. I'd appreciate more impact in the climaxes. But the lyrical passages aren't much better. Abbado has a rare gift of sensitivity that enables him to bring out detail with touching sincerity—I wish I heard that in evidence here. As it is, this first movement sounds like a highly accomplished run-through. The main thing missing is mystery. Abbado is capable of maintaining the line and flow, but he doesn't seem to be searching for anything; at its best, this music is unsettling. The problem isn't so much that he holds back the power in the climaxes as it is that he doesn't find a captivating pulse. It feels smooth, well considered, yes, but not emotionally involving. There's not the rapport between Abbado and the musicians that is indicative of him at his best.

Tbe 2nd movement is hard to do wrong, and Abbado certainly delivers a rousing performance, if nothing outstanding. It's in a sunny, more sprightly vein than most readings. He's best at the lighthearted interludes, where he pulls off graceful charm quite convincingly, with merrily chirping woodwinds. His phrasing is more varied and interesting than in the 1st movement. There's an absence of terror, which some listeners will find egregious, but on its own terms, this movement is enjoyable.

It would seem perfect for Abbado to end his brilliant career with a wrenching, spiritual finale. That wish is fulfilled halfway. Abbado opens with calm control, without much inner feeling. It's beautiful in its own way, true, but anyone who has heard the fervor and intensity of Karajan knows what potential this music has. By leaving out any trace of struggle, Abbado only reduces the impact. If you want a subdued, gorgeous finale without the overwhelming emotion, Abbado serves the purpose very well. As the movement unfolds, I find more meaning. It took awhile for me to warm up to Abbado's approach, mainly because there's not the optimal personal involvement. Nothing is spectacular and there could be more impact, but the gentle atmosphere works in its own way. Ending the symphony on such a tender note left me moved, and once again saddened at the loss of such a great maestro.

Comparing this reading with Haitink's with the LSO earlier this year, I prefer Abbado, since he's not so slow and trudge-like, even if Haitink came closer to sounding spiritual. Certainly we are far removed from the impact of Karajan, who many consider unbeatable in this music. For those who don't mind less bombast, Harnoncourt with the Vienna Phil is more moving, and Rattle's recent recording was thrilling on a sheer virtuosic level, and it includes the controversial fourth movement. The problem for me with Abbado is that he doesn't dig into the elusive nature of this symphony. Playing it straight risks losing the novelty.

But if you want Bruckner that is serious and full-sounding without being so intense, this is just perfect. Die-hard Abbado fans like myself are nearly certain to go out of their way, if mainly for the novelty of a posthumous new release. I can safely award this album four stars for its perfect calm control, while preferring more involved readings by a good margin.