Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major, WAB 105 Christian Thielemann & Wiener Philharmoniker

• Anton Bruckner (1824 - 1896): Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major, WAB 105:
• 1 Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major, WAB 105: I. Introduction. Adagio - Allegro 22:47
• 2 Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major, WAB 105: II. Adagio. Sehr langsam 19:00
• 3 Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major, WAB 105: III. Scherzo. Molto vivace - Trio 14:51
• 4 Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major, WAB 105: IV. Finale. Adagio - Allegro moderato 25:20
• Total Runtime 01:21:58

Info for Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major, WAB 105

Christian Thielemann's groundbreaking Bruckner cycle with the Vienna Philharmonic continues with Bruckner's Fifth in Edition Nowak. Sony Classical releases the Symphony No. 5 in B flat major WAB 105 (in the 1878 version from Edition Nowak), the fifth part of the complete recording of all Bruckner symphonies with the Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Christian Thielemann, the orchestra's first Bruckner cycle under a single conductor. "The claim that this orchestra is basically the only true original-sound ensemble for Anton Bruckner's music should remain undisputed," enthuses Die Presse. The Vienna Philharmonic gave the first performance of four of Bruckner's nine symphonies. Since the premiere of the Second Symphony in 1873, they have maintained a special relationship with the music of the Austrian composer.

With the Vienna Philharmonic, Thielemann has come very close to the ideal Bruckner sound: full, warm, with the finest gradations and richest colours, clear without sounding harsh and well-contoured without seeming edgy. Only a few conductors achieve a comparable long breath full of sublimity and are able to use the singular beauty of the orchestra's sound as well as the special acoustics of the Vienna Musikverein to the full.

Christian Thielemann is principal conductor of the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden and was artistic director of the Salzburg Easter Festival from 2013 to 2022. He is considered a leading interpreter of the Austro-German repertoire. He has been closely associated with the Vienna Philharmonic for some time and he conducted his first New Year's Concert there in 2019.

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Christian Thielemann, conductor

Christian Thielemann
was born in Berlin in 1959 and began what Karajan called the classical conductor’s “hard but indispensable slog” through numerous small theatres at an early age. After 20 years of operatic experience, Thielemann, who also has been guest conductor-in-chief at the Teatro Comunale of Bologna, started concentrating on a few selected orchestras and opera houses such as Covent Garden in London, the Metropolitan in New York and the Vienna State Opera. From 1997–2004 he was music director of the Deutsche Oper, Berlin, and in 2004 he was appointed music director of the Münchner Philharmoniker. Thielemann received Germany’s Bundesverdienstkreuz in 2003.

Dresden Staatskapelle
On 22nd September 2008 the Staatskapelle Dresden celebrated its 460th jubilee. Founded by Prince Elector Moritz von Sachsen in 1548, it is one of the oldest orchestras in the world and steeped in tradition. Over its long history, many distinguished conductors and internationally celebrated instrumentalists have left their mark on this one-time court

Previous directors include Heinrich Schütz, Johann Adolf Hasse, Carl Maria von Weber and Richard Wagner, who called the ensemble his »miraculous harp«. The list of prominent conductors of the last 100 years includes Ernst von Schuch, Fritz Reiner, Fritz Busch, Karl Böhm, Joseph Keilberth, Rudolf Kempe, Otmar Suitner, Kurt Sanderling, Herbert Blomstedt and Giuseppe Sinopoli. The orchestra was directed by Bernard Haitink from 2002-2004 and most recently by Fabio Luisi from 2007-2010. Principal Conductor since the 2012 / 2013 season has been Christian Thielemann. In May 2016 the former Principal Conductor Herbert Blomstedt received the title Conductor Laureate. This title has only been awarded to Sir Colin Davis before, who held it from 1990 until his death in April 2013. Myung-Whun Chung has been Principal Guest Conductor since the 2012 / 2013 season.

Richard Strauss and the Staatskapelle were closely linked for more than sixty years. Nine of the composer’s operas were premiered in Dresden, including »Salome«, »Elektra« and »Der Rosenkavalier«, while Strauss’s »Alpine Symphony« was dedicated to the orchestra. Countless other famous composers have written works either dedicated to the orchestra or first performed in Dresden. In 2007 the Staatskapelle reaffirmed this tradition by introducing the annual position of »Capell- Compositeur«. Following on from Hans Werner Henze and Wolfgang Rihm, Sofia Gubaidulina will hold the title for the 2014/2015 season.

The Staatskapelle’s home is the Semperoper, where it performs around 260 operas and ballets each season. In addition the ensemble presents another 50 symphonic and chamber concerts in the opera house, as well as playing at various musical events in Dresden’s Frauenkirche. As one of the world’s most celebrated and popular symphony orchestras, the Staatskapelle regularly travels abroad to the world’s leading classical venues.

From 2013 the Staatskapelle Dresden is the resident orchestra of the Salzburg Easter Festival, whose Artistic Director is none other than Christian Thielemann. The Staatskapelle also does valuable work to support the local region: Since October 2008 it has been the patron orchestra of Meetingpoint Music Messiaen in the double city of Görlitz- Zgorzelec. And in September 2010 the orchestra helped found the International Shostakovich Festival in Gohrisch (Saxon Switzerland), which is the only such annual event dedicated to the music and life of Dmitri Shostakovich.

At a ceremony in Brussels in 2007 the Staatskapelle became the first – and so far only – orchestra to be awarded the »European Prize for the Preservation of the World’s Musical Heritage«.

Volkswagen´s Transparent Factory has been a Partner of the Staatskapelle Dresden since 2008.

Booklet for Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major, WAB 105