Bruckner: Symphony No.9. Lucerne Festival Orchestra. Deutsche Grammophon CD
The programme consisted of two unfinished symphonies (Schubert's 8th and Bruckner's 9th). The latter, recorded live, is a magnificent tribute to the famous 80-year-old maestro.
It has already received many plaudits, and deservedly so.
He leads this fabulous festival orchestra (largely musicians hand-picked by the conductor) into a performance that is very different from some of his earlier recordings, and indeed outclasses his fine performance with the Vienna Philharmonic in 1996, so that now, by comparison, might seem rather too breathless and mannered.
In the accompanying booklet, the ''greater lightness and transparency'' than the 1996 performance is noted by Oresti Bossini, as well as a disarming simplicity with which the usually sombre and tragic three-movement symphony now shows its ''consoling spirit''.
The tempo is often relaxed and very spacious, respectful (almost with a reverence) yet becomes truly dramatic and majestic when required.
The composer would surely have been delighted.
The secret is that Abbado always keeps this music in motion, flowing with rhythmic energy that allows a truly remarkable performance.
It lingers most gently when it should, breathing slowly, does not rush but never loses forward impetus so that its purpose seems inevitable and magnificent.
To the listener it is fresh and inspiring, so much so that the Wall Street Journal's critic has called it an ''otherworldly account'' of Bruckner's 9th - ''never have I heard as magisterial and moving performance of the work''.
Highlight: Magnificent and memorial performance.
