James Loughran and the
Århus Symphony Orchestra recorded Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 in E major in the highly resonant Åarhus Cathedral, and this venue's acoustics were an important factor in the luminous sound of this live concert performance. By giving the brass section a marvelous resonance in its towering climaxes and the whole orchestra a luster that is simply wonderful to hear, this space may be considered one of the very best for Bruckner. However, there's more to this music than just glorious sonorities, and the shaping and pacing of the symphony are just as important. Section by section, the music feels quite passionate and awe-inspiring, and if heard as excerpts, it would sound perfectly fine; but the whole performance is not unified and there is little feeling of trajectory between movements or cohesion within. Except for a fairly steady Scherzo,
Loughran's tempos are too flexible, slack, and at times even sluggish, and his conducting seems tentative and variable. As a result, the form suffers and the music seems to meander from point to point without any sense of momentum. For listeners who like this symphony to feel ultra-Romantic and full of languorous rubato, this may be an acceptable offering. However, for others who like a feeling of structure and firmer control, then this elastic interpretation will feel undisciplined and unsatisfying, despite the really sensational sounds that make this performance an opulent, even sensuous, musical experience. Danacord's focused reproduction is phenomenal, and the recording is only marred by a few coughs and rustled programs.