I cannot speak on behalf of such eminent Bruckner critics such as Patrick or John, but I personally was glad to reminded of your most interesting article on the Bruckner Sixth Symphony.
It is also quite timely - and indeed important - since a few months ago, Simon Rattle's recording of the work with the LSO appeared and it was the very fast tempo for the opening that raised many collective eyebrows (even faster than Andreae and Reichert, if memory serves correct). I certainly didn't think it worked on a practical level when the theme was repeated by full orchestra a few bars later (it sounded garbled), but others may disagree. Intriguingly, Rattle was apparently using a new edition of the score by Benjamin-Gunnar Cohrs, so I wonder if he had incorporated Cyrill Hinais's markings into his critical edition (alas, the accompanying booklet is mysteriously silent with regards to this) ?
So no, I don't think you are making a 'mountain out of a molehill' - and it is also worth noting that two live Klemperer performances (with the Concertgebouw and BBCSO) made just before the EMI recording sees him adopting the slowest tempos for the opening of all, which in turn create other problems. I've emailed Herr Cohrs this morning to see if he'd be so kind to contribute to this thread too.
Best
lee
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