The idea of arranging Bruckner's mighty and majestic Symphony No. 7 for a chamber ensemble of nine players seems quixotic at best and perverse at worst. But when it is taken into consideration that the arrangement was made for Schoenberg's Society for the Private Performance of Music by three Schoenberg protégés in close association with their master, the idea begins to seem more reasonable. And this splendid performance by the
Linos-Ensemble proves that the idea seems not only reasonable, but inevitable and even quite natural. That's because this performance by the
Linos-Ensemble is beautifully played, wonderfully recorded, and wholly compelling. The performance actually makes a case for Bruckner's Seventh as a piece for chamber ensemble because it makes a case for the piece. The lyrical rapture, the harmonic ecstasy, and the spiritual bliss of the greatest performances of the Seventh by an orchestra are present here in a great performance of the Seventh by a nonet. While it may seem unlikely how a harmonium and piano could take the place of a full brass section, in this devoted and devotional performance it at least sounds wholly appropriate and quite transcendent.