Bruckner: Symphony No. 4. Karl Bohm, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Decca 289 466 374-2.

Bruckner: Symphony No. 4. Karl Bohm, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Decca 289 466 374-2.

Everybody else is doing it; why not Decca? (You remember Decca. They used to be London in the U.S. because there was already an American Decca. Now Universal owns both Decca companies so there is no more need for the London designation. Saves the world a lot of confusion.) Anyway, other labels are issuing newly remastered classics in superior sound -- Mercury "Living Presence," RCA "Living Stereo," DG "Originals," EMI "Great Recordings of the Century," etc. Decca's new line of reissues is called "Legends," and among their first releases is Karl Bohm's excellent 1973 recording of Bruckner's 4th Symphony. It makes a good choice for inclusion in Decca's first batch of goodies.

Bohm's interpretation ranks high on my list of all-time favorite Bruckner 4ths. I would still consider Klemperer's performance (EMI) foremost for its greater majesty and stronger symphonic weight, and maybe Jochum's older rendering (DG) next for its greater mystery and atmosphere, in spite of its thinner, noisier sound. But there is no denying Bohm's complete mastery of the score. The whole thing moves implacably forward with strength, grace, and style. In fact, the second movement andante is perhaps more beautiful under Bohm than under any other conductor. Bohm was greatly underrated, often thought of as merely a conservative "kapplemeister." Maybe he was sometimes, but not always. Here, there are no fussy heroics, true, just a simple distillation of the music. The work unfolds at its own pace and is all the more eloquent for it.

Decca's 24-bit remastering uses a 96k Hz sampling rate and occasional touching up as the occasion demands. The result really is a superior end result. I had a friend over listening to this new recording side-by-side with Decca's own 1992 ADRM mastering, simultaneously using two identical-sounding CD players. Initially, I did the switching and let him sit in the primary listening position. Then we exchanged places and opinions. He said exactly what I was thinking, so I'll use his words. The new version sounded "bigger," "smoother," "warmer," "fuller," "richer," and "more detailed." The older mastering sounded "harder," "harsher," and "brighter." However, I continue to find the sonics less than excellent. There remains a metallic edge that the new processing has reduced but not removed. Nevertheless, I can confidently recommend the disc, and I know it will provide hours of pleasurable listening. Incidentally, Decca have come up with two clever packaging ideas: First, they have given the disc itself the appearance of an open-reel tape. Second, they have replicated the original cover art on the back of the booklet insert. By simply reversing the booklet one can have either the new cover illustration and text or the old. It's distinctive.--JP