The dismissal/avoidance by some conductors of B2 and B3 is a result of knowing only the later, heavily cut, editions of those two symphonies. Both "suffered" from the composer's determination to secure performances and his practical experiences with lack of understanding or appreciation from professional musicians and advice from others to shorten and simplify symphonies which were longer, wilder, and genuinely revolutionary in scope and concept. So, he cut, cut, cut and the result was editions that lacked the internal logic and consistency of the first versions. B3 is a particularly egregious example in which the 1889/90 finale comes across as a hopeless, almost incoherent mess. The later B2s likewise lose much of the cogency of the first version. "Immature"? - not at all, in my opinion. Misunderstood, certainly, much of which is corrected by returning to his first, and best, thoughts in these two symphonies.
Interesting; I am sure you are right. I don't understand the contempt for the Second from some quarters - I think it is a fine work when played this well by such as Järvi or Giulini.
A brief comment on the Paavo Järvi recorded performance of Bruckner 2. While he does indeed use the Carragan edition of 1877 as the basis, Järvi appears (according to your description) to make the same edit as in his wonderful RCA/Sony recording with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony; namely, replacing the bland solo clarinet at the closing measures of the "Andante"/Adagio with Bruckner's original horn solo. Not the actual music notes from 1872 but instead the horn soloist plays the very similar, but not exact, clarinet notes from 1877.
Admittedly a small, but IMO not insignificant change, which is just one of many reasons to choose the First Version of 1872 when electing to perform Symphony 2. It is Bruckner's original, longest, and most revolutionary score at the time of composition. Inspired by and infused with the revolutionary fervor of Beethoven 9, which indeed was Bruckner's inspirational lodestar from then onward.
Great review, Ralph. I agree with all of your many asides regarding the qualities of these symphonies, and I look forward to listening to the set on Spotify.
Regards, Dieter
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