Bruckner: Symphony No. 3 (1889)

Bruckner's Third Symphony had always been something of a problem child among Bruckner's symphonies, from it's disastrous first reception (an enthused youthful Gustav Mahler notwithstanding) until well into the 20th century. In it's original form, it is the longest, most Wagnerian of his symphonies - and often considered, rightly or not, the first truly Brucknerian symphony. While some cherish the uncompromising originality of the first version, Bruckner himself wanted the third, much tightened Edition performed, finding it "incomparably better". It is that final version that is here recorded - and listeners can now easily decide for themselves.