Manfred Honeck Additional Reviews
"Manfred Honeck is a graceful, darting presence on the podium. His interpretations do not open
new vistas, particularly, but the detail, intelligence and energy he brings to his craft are striking.
Honeck evoked an especially wide range of textures from the strings, who played with eager,
even grateful, enthusiasm [...] and one felt the zeal of their response to this charismatic artist,
who first learned his craft as a violinist in the Vienna Philharmonic. Honeck's beat is detailed and
expressive when necessary, but even more important, he doesn't conduct what doesn't need
conducting."
The Washington Post
"Honeck's carefully gauged dynamics covered the full range from the softest pianissimos to
thunderous orchestral exclamations, without ever sounding strident or overpowering. The
Austrian conductor eschews celebrity in favour of purposeful, scholarly music making. His
dedication to the musical text resulted in a freshly minted traversal of Bruckner's sound world, in
which many inner voicings had newfound clarity and presence. [...] Under Honeck's inspired
direction, the symphony unfolded in one long, unbroken musical arc in which passion and
reverence, flowing lyricism and fiery perorations were given equal weight. The conductor's crisp
tempos sustained momentum from the mysterious string tremolos that open the symphony to the
stirring brass chorale one hour later. Honeck vividly conveyed the spiritual ecstasy of the
mournful Adagio. Luminous strings and mellow horns produced a warm, glowing aural palette.
In the Scherzo, Honeck achieved the perfect synthesis of insistent rhythmic impetus and
Viennese lilt… Bruckner's paean to the glory of God was richly served. "
Lawrence Budman, Sun-Sentinel