Album: Bruckner, Symphony No 4 – Norrington/SWR, (Hänssler Classic)

At the close of this live recording of Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony, hesitant applause balloons into a roar of startled admiration. Bruckner is as famous for his revisions as he is for the meandering length of his symphonies, but give or take some minor corrections – most notably the violin solo in the first movement – this version is the original.

The orchestral playing is dynamic and bracing. Had Wagner’s Siegfried been blessed with a brain, his journey might have sounded like this.

Pick of the album: The oxygenated violin solo of the opening Allegro