Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Bruno Walter - Anton Bruckner - Symphonie Nr. 4 «Romantic» (1996)

Bruno Walter had a firm belief in music having a great effect for the moral betterment of both the individual, and society in general.As far as his recordings go, nowhere is this more evident than in this one, his studio, stereo recording of Bruckners' Fourth Symphony. The performance is flawless, and in my opinion, qualifies as Walters' best recording, and also the best Bruckner recording done by anyone. Bruno Walter allows the orchestra to "breathe" in his own, special way, and the sound quality properly conveys an orchestral texture that is irresistable, and outshines any other recorded Bruckner 4.
It is a shame that Bruno Walter did not live to see his plans for a stereo recording of Bruckners' Eighth Symphony- if he would have approached it in the way he did with the Fourth, it would have been a revelation. [The great "if only" of classical music.
Walter had a deep affinity for, and understanding of, Bruckners' music, much more so than, let's say, Karajan or Jochum. He once remarked to Karajan-"you have to go deeper into the score". In this Bruckner 4, Walter does just that- and fully grasps the essence of spirituality and closeness to God in Anton Bruckners' symphonies.As in his Mahler, Bruno Walters' Bruckner must be heard in order to be at one with the music. It is something not to be missed.