This message was originally intended for reviewer Ralph Moore specifically, but I do not have a direct contact address! I just thought that, as a keen Brucknerian, he might be interested to hear Gliere's second symphony.
I have recently re-examined the music of Gliere, and found the concertos, chamber music and symphonies 1 and 2 well worth hearing. Symphony 2 is (apart from the usual Russian sources) strongly influenced by Bruckner. A little surprising, as we might imagine Bruckner had little influence in Russia until much later. I think the best-recorded performance is the one conducted by Macal, but Butt's version is an interesting alternative, and with its unusually slow tempos might be seen as the most Brucknerian.
I encourage those who only know Gliere from his bloated 3rd symphony, and highlights from The Red Poppy, to give his other works a chance.
(Symphony 1 - Gunzenhauser, Symphony 2 - Macal, Quartets - Pulzus Quartet, Sextet 3 & Octet - Berlin Phil String Octet, Horn concerto - Henriksen, Harp concerto - Masters, Coloratura concerto - Dessay)
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