With this Seventh Symphony, Andris Nelsons continues his triumphant progress through a complete Bruckner cycle. The release showcases superb playing (the Gewandthaus Orchestra premiered this work), to match both conducting and recording. Nelsons gets everything just right: tempos are convincing, architecture is long-arched, bold and heroic without missing any detail (Nelsons builds like a Mughal emperor and finishes like a jeweller) and the overall sound is magnificently burnished. In other words, Nelson’s vision of the symphony works.

As with the two previous efforts (Symphonies Nos 3 and 4) the pulse is excellent. The halo of string and brass sonorities at the beginning immediately enveloped me and gives way to a...