And yet, though the musicians' efforts are well-intentioned, much of the performance does not convince. Consistency and purpose, in some ways, are missing, and the lack of conviction diminishes Bruckner. I felt unmoved. Only in the last movement do I feel a synergy between conductor and orchestra finally taking place. The great fugal movement is given a fine reading.
Inflections are weighty, with rhythm taut and always forward-moving.
The opening reflections on the previous movements are beautifully done, with an autumnal quality prefacing the dramatic fugue to follow. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra are a fine body, however, the symphony does sound a little under-rehearsed. This is a budget recording and session time may have been brief. As such, there are quite a few inconsistencies in execution. At times intonation suffers and, with the exception of the solo oboe, the woodwind solos are undistinguished.