Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony: a guide to the best recordings

Peter Quantrill
Friday, September 6, 2024

Everest, or K2? Peter Quantrill surveys a peak of symphonic literature on record: Bruckner’s Fifth Symphony

Anton Bruckner completed the first draft of his Fifth Symphony in 1876

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Bruckner's Symphony No 9, an introduction by Andris Nelsons

Andris Nelsons on a symphony he places alongside the mighty ninths of Beethoven and Mahler

Bruckner's Symphony No 8, an introduction by Herbert Blomstedt

Herbert Blomstedt considers a work that’s nothing short of miraculous

Bruckner's Symphony No 7, an introduction by Lahav Shani

Lahav Shani on the lyricism of this work and the human emotion it conveys

Bruckner's Symphony No 6, an introduction by Simone Young

Simone Young on why this emotionally charged symphony is her favourite by this composer

Bruckner's Symphony No 5, an introduction by Christian Thielemann

Christian Thielemann discusses this accessible work which exudes a positive energy

Bruckner's Symphony No 4, an introduction by François-Xavier Roth

François-Xavier Roth on a work whose different – and very unique – versions inform one another

Bruckner's Symphony No 3, an introduction by Markus Poschner

Markus Poschner seeks the truth behind this early symphony

Bruckner's Symphony No 2, an introduction by Riccardo Muti

Riccardo Muti finds that this, like all of Bruckner’s symphonies, carries a message for the soul

Bruckner's Symphony No 1, an introduction by Gerd Schaller

Gerd Schaller on the immediacy and philosophical nature of the composer’s first numbered symphony

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