Manfred Honeck, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra – Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 (2019) [nativeDSDmusic DSF DSD256/11.28MHz + FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Manfred Honeck, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra – Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 (2019)
DSD256 (.dsf) 1 bit/11,2 MHz | Time – 63:11 minutes | 9,96 GB
FLAC (tracks) 24-bit/96 kHz | Time – 63:11 minutes | 1,04 GB
Studio Master, Official Digital Download – Source: nativeDSDmusic | Artwork: Digital booklet

Reference Recordings proudly presents this iconic work in a new and definitive interpretation from Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, in superb Stereo Audiophile sound. This “Soundmirror” recording was made and post-produced in DSD 256 on a Pyramix workstation to give you, the listener, the highest sound quality possible.

In 2019, Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra released their second Bruckner recording on Reference Recordings, a powerful interpretation of the unfinished Symphony No. 9 in D minor that shows these musicians’ remarkable affinity for the composer. In choosing the unfinished, three-movement version of the work, thereby avoiding any controversy over the various completions of Bruckner’s intended finale, Honeck adheres to the long-established 1951 edition by Leopold Nowak, so there are no textual surprises. What is somewhat unexpected for a performance of the Ninth is Honeck’s careful analysis of the material Bruckner incorporated, such as the “Miserere” from the “Gloria” of his Mass in D minor, the “Annunciation of Death” motive from the Eighth Symphony, and references to the Latin text of the Agnus Dei which influenced the design of the Adagio, among other internal evidence that sheds light on Bruckner’s religious motivation in composing this symphony. Many conductors recognize the significance of Bruckner’s dedication of the work to God, yet Honeck has identified the particular instances in the symphony that, like the structure of the Fifth Symphony, clearly reveal Bruckner’s faith, and that the Ninth is far from being absolute music without programmatic content. This no doubt adds power to the music and clarifies its somewhat mystifying content. The wide-open sound of this audiophile recording goes far in conveying the expressive depth and sweep of the performance, capturing the orchestra in a spacious acoustic that adds true grandeur to Bruckner’s most personal paean to God.

Tracklist:

01 – Symphony No. 9 in D minor (1896; unfinished – ed. Nowak): Feierlich – Sehr ruhig
02 – Symphony No. 9 in D minor (1896; unfinished – ed. Nowak): Scherzo: Bewegt, lebhaft – Trio: Schnell
03 – Symphony No. 9 in D minor (1896; unfinished – ed. Nowak): Adagio: Sehr langsam, feierlich

Recorded by Soundmirror, Boston staff:
Recording Producer: Dirk Sobotka. Balance Engineer: Mark Donahue. Recording Engineer: Mark Donahue. Editing: Dirk Sobotka.
Recorded Live on February 23-25, 2018 at Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts, Pittsburgh, PA. Mixing and Mastering: Mark Donahue.

DSF DSD256/11.28MHz