For his 2012 release of Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 3 in D minor, Jaap van Zweden conducts the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in the infrequently played 1877 version. While he doesn't follow the popular trend of using Bruckner's Urfassung or original version of 1873, favored by such contemporary conductors as Marcus Bosch, Jonathan Nott, and Simone Young, van Zweden presents the more compact second version, which was stripped of the Wagner quotations and given a tighter exposition of themes and more organic development. Diehard fans will appreciate hearing this version, for van Zweden's interpretation is a fresh take on a familiar classic, and the surprising changes that make this version differ from all others will be of particular interest. But this information is for the serious Bruckner devotee. Newcomers and casual listeners who know little of the intricacies of Bruckner editions will respond more directly to the power and energy of the playing, as well as to the extraordinary sound quality of this super audio package. Van Zweden had remarkable success with his previous release of Bruckner's Eighth, and the results here are no less astounding. Anyone who has sought a coherent and eloquent performance of this work -- the first of Bruckner's symphonies to reveal his mature characteristics -- should give this extraordinary recording a try, for it very well might become the go-to version for repeated listening.
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