Once in a while a performance of Bruckner’s Seventh Symphony will descend from on high like a benediction. This performance recorded four years ago in the cathedral of St Mary Magdalene in Warsaw is one such, which may explain why it was singled out last autumn by the Polish Dux label to mark the 80th birthday of the Polish-born Jerzy Semkow.

Semkow studied with Mravinsky in Leningrad before beginning his professional career at the Bolshoi. The reference books also speak of work with Bruno Walter, whose 1961 recording of the symphony (CBS, 12/63 – nla) this to some extent resembles. Though the opening movement is as contemplative as it can reasonably afford to be, it is sustained by a single pulse, subtly flexed. With individual themes nicely characterised and points of arrival expertly prepared across all four movements, this is a benign and beautiful reading, well judged as to both pacing and architecture.

As with many such Bruckner performances, the work appears to be rooted in its inner string parts – the violas, cellos and second violins. In this respect it is also a somewhat Giulini-like reading. If the first violins seem a little sparse of tone, the horns are superb, as are the light-toned Warsaw trumpets. Semkow’s old-fashioned skills with orchestral balance have clearly helped the engineers. I can’t recall a better-made cathedral recording, the sound focused and warm.

The recording is based on a live performance. There are some minor glitches and one major one – a sudden unannounced jump in dynamic level in the final three bars of the first movement. Be that as it may, this birthday tribute to Semkow is rich in musical interest. Collectors of conducting memorabilia might well be drawn to it.