BRUCKNER’S EIGHTH
SYMPHONY
Personal reflections
on a favourite work and some key recordings
by Patrick C Waller
Introduction
I have long since given
up hope of being invited onto Desert
Island Discs but allow myself occasional
fantasies. Over the years, my eight
discs would have changed considerably
... and I would now find it almost impossible
to choose them. However the piece I
would choose for the "if you could
only take only one" disc has remained
unchanged for many years – Bruckner’s
8th Symphony. This article
attempts to explain why. I will also
describe the work from a listener’s
perspective and consider the merits
of some of the recordings which have
been made. I am a music lover rather
than a musician or musicologist, so
please don’t expect anything erudite.
If you know and love this work, there
is probably little I can add to your
understanding. My target audience is
people who are discovering Bruckner
and my aim is to help them to get to
know this great symphony.
In 1976 I was a student
in Sheffield and a season-ticket holder
for the Philharmonic concerts held in
the City Hall. The resident orchestra
was the Hallé and their chief
conductor James Loughran. One Friday
night, Bruckner’s music was on the programme
– a composer I had not even heard of
previously. Had I looked him up in my
copy of the 9th edition of
the Oxford Companion to Music
(as I probably did), I would have read
the following quote : "…he was
half Caesar and half a village schoolmaster:
such men are, in art or life, difficult
to place" – hardly words which
would have produced great expectations.
The piece being played was his most
popular work – the 4th Symphony
– and, at the concert, I was quite simply
blown away by the music. By 10 o’clock
the next morning I was the owner of
a tape of Karajan’s then recent DG recording
and by that evening I had played it
several times.
Of course, I then wanted
to hear more of this composer and soon
afterwards came across (and immediately
bought) LPs of the 7th and
8th Symphonies in recordings
conducted by van Beinum and Horenstein
respectively. Initially the 7th
Symphony appealed to me more but a friend
to whom I lent the discs was immediately
taken with the adagio of the 8th.
I soon came to understand that and the
8th Symphony became a work
which I played frequently. Since the
work lasts for around 80 minutes, I
invested a lot of time in getting to
know it. Twenty-eight years later my
enthusiasm is undimmed.
A year or so later I was delighted to see the
8th Symphony on the programme of a Hallé concert
(under Loughran) and I heard it live for the first time. Alfred
Brendel played Schumann’s concerto in the first half. This was
one of the most memorable concerts I have yet been to. I used
to sit in the "choir" behind the orchestra and recall
that, as the orchestra began the great crescendo in the coda of
the finale (about a minute or so from the end of the work), an
elderly lady in the stalls got up and trotted out, presumably
to catch the last bus. Probably the greatest live performance
I have yet heard was at the 1985 Proms when Gunter Wand conducted
the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Composition and
editions
In order to understand
the composition of the 8th
Symphony, some background is necessary.
Bruckner was a devout Catholic, a rather
simple man and a late developer. He
was about 40 before he attempted symphonic
composition and his first four numbered
attempts (there are two prior attempts,
often known as No. 0 and No. 00), written
between 1866 and 1880, taxed him greatly.
All were subject to revisions and there
is scope for endless debate about which
edition is best and what the composer’s
final intentions were (some of the revisions
having being suggested or made by others).
Obviously, Bruckner wanted his works
performed and the length of his symphonies
was a barrier. Many of the revisions
were therefore cuts and often they added
to structural problems which Bruckner
had not quite solved. Curiously, a major
revision of the 1st symphony
was undertaken after completion of the
8th. Many Brucknerians prefer
the earlier version of the 1st
and wish that he had spent the time
on the 9th symphony (which
remained incomplete at his death). The
5th, 6th and 7th
symphonies, however, flowed more easily
between 1878 and 1883 and were not subject
to significant revisions. The 7th
was played in Leipzig under the baton
of Nikisch in 1884 and for the first
time Bruckner triumphed. Sadly, he was
never to hear the 5th played.
Bruckner set to work
on the 8th in 1884 and it
was complete in 1887. He sent the score
to one of his admirers, the conductor
Hermann Levi and was distraught at his
less than enthusiastic response. Nevertheless
he spent three years revising the symphony
in many ways. Most importantly, he omitted
his traditional "blaze up"
coda of the first movement and introduced
a quiet ending. He also completely replaced
the trio in the second movement. Most
people (including me) take the view
that Bruckner improved the work markedly
– an inspired response to criticism.
The second version of 1890 is almost
invariably played in preference to the
first version but there is the complicating
factor of editions.
In the 1930s Robert
Haas produced editions of most of Bruckner’s
symphonies for the International Bruckner
Society. In trying to put together the
"best" versions for performance,
he had a lot of difficult decisions
to make about some of them but had no
difficulty in opting for the second
version of the 8th. However,
he believed a few of revisions made
between 1887 and 1890 were disadvantageous
to the structure and/or the specific
suggestions of others, notably Joseph
Schalk. He therefore added some passages
from the first edition, which had been
excised, back into the second version.
In the 1950s Leopold Nowak took over and set
out to produce editions representing Bruckner’s final intentions.
In 1955 he published the second version of the 8th
as Bruckner left it and since then there has been much debate
about the merits of Haas versus Nowak. In 1972, Nowak also published
the first version of the score and this was then performed for
the first time and recorded. Haas’s edition is probably still
the most widely played and certainly the most recorded version
of the work. His version lasts about 90 seconds longer than Nowak’s
and musicologists tend to argue that it is preferable. As a listener,
I agree, primarily because the build-up to the great climax of
the adagio seems more effective. However, I am happy to listen
to the work in either version and, for me, this should not be
a major factor for or against a particular recording. One practical
point, however, is that if you want a score, buying the Nowak
is easy whereas finding Haas may be more of a challenge.
A brief guide to
the work
Bruckner’s 8th
has no programme but I have occasionally
come across the soubriquet Apocalyptic
(for example in the 9th edition
of the Oxford Companion to Music).
I do not know where this comes from
and suspect it could be exclusive to
the English-speaking world (as for Beethoven’s
Emperor concerto). In the sense
of the word meaning "revelation"
it might be appropriate but this symphony
is not about the end of the world!
This work is in four
movements with the adagio placed third.
The key is C minor (with the adagio
in D flat) and it is of interest that
Bruckner’s first two numbered symphonies
were both in C minor and that he had
not since returned to the key. Tonality
is very important, the first, second
and last movements are rooted in the
home key and the adagio is in D flat,
providing a markedly contrasting atmosphere.
When Bruckner composed this work the
world was just a few years away from
atonal music – but, despite very imaginative
harmonies, it seems light years away
when you listen to it. The first two
movements both last about 15 minutes,
the adagio is immensely long-breathed
and takes about 25 minutes and the finale
takes at least 20 minutes. As with all
Bruckner’s works, a large orchestra
is required but this is the only one
in which he used a harp; to great effect,
notably in the trio and adagio.
Below, I shall attempt to describe the main features
of the work. It is intended that this could be read whilst listening
to the work. A score is not necessary but would obviously be an
advantage. Since it is one of the most readily available recordings,
timings are taken from Karajan’s 1988 recording. If, as they might
well do, any passing musicologist should spot glaring errors,
please (a) forgive them (b) let me know by e-mail
so that I can correct them.
First movement –
Allegro moderato
Over a tremolando on
the violins, the first theme enters
immediately and quietly in the lower
strings. At 0’58" the tremolando
is repeated fortissimo and the main
theme iterated majestically in the brass.
After a long diminuendo, at 2’10 the
gently rising second theme appears in
the first violins with string accompaniment.
Intensely beautiful and expressive,
this seems to emerge out of nothing
despite the absence of any pause. The
first bar suggests D or G major but
the final three bars take us back to
the home key. The woodwinds and then
brass answer in music that, in just
a few bars, conveys many moods, varying
from sombre to exultant. After some
development there are five bars of increasingly
prominent pizzicato on the strings before
at 4’27", the third theme bursts
in fortissimo on the brass. This is
based on a very simple downward progression
in triplets but by repeating it several
times a tone higher and layering the
sound between the instruments Bruckner
achieves a monumental effect. Eventually
harmony is restored at 5’20" with
a massive climax using a relative major
(E flat) chord. The music rapidly dies
to pianissimo and returns to the first
theme. Initially mysterious, Bruckner
here conveys a very different mood to
the opening – almost pastoral but ever
ambiguous. The thematic material is
shared between brass and woodwind, the
upper strings play tremolando and lower
ones pizzicato. Eventually there is
a diminuendo and it is time to return
to the second theme (7’45"). As
before, this emerges from nowhere in
the first violins but here it is inverted
(i.e. downward moving). The expressive
calm of this theme is only brief as
Bruckner is soon moving steadily towards
a massive climax (which occurs at 9’13"),
primarily based on material from the
first theme. Ultimately this dies to
a premonition of the ending at 9’44,
following which Bruckner prepares us
for a return to the second theme in
its original form. This occurs at 12’13",
and is played here in the relative major.
As before, this leads into the first
theme (13’59") first stated boldly
but then dropping to pianissimo before
building to a massive climax at 14’52".
This ends with repeated Cs in the brass
giving out the underlying dotted rhythm.
At 15’47" the music suddenly breaks
off and gives way to the powerful quiet
coda which is so much more effective
than in the first version. Wisps of
the first theme are played by the clarinet,
the timpani trills at piano-pianissimo
and the strings convey an intense feeling
of mystery before ending with repeated
pizzicatos in the tonic key. Some spice
is added by the violas. The first movement
of all Bruckner’s other symphonies ends
in a blaze of sound but this passage
seems so conclusive that it now seems
hard to believe that he initially conceived
a loud ending.
Second movement
– Scherzo: Allegro moderato ; Trio:
Langsam
A repeated appoggiatura on the horn and downward
chromatic progression in the violins lead into the simple main
theme on the violas and cellos after just two bars. Unlike the
first movement, where tonality is initially ambiguous, this is
firmly in the home key. The theme is built on repetition, as is
the whole of the first section. The punctuating appoggiaturas
are repeated on the oboes and soon the main theme is transferred
to the brass. Gradually a huge climax builds but the music breaks
off abruptly after at 1’50" and, in the second section, the
woodwinds muse whilst the strings play an inverted version of
their underlying progression. At 3’58" the mood is broken
by a crescendo of pizzicatos in the violins, leading to a return
of the main theme at 4’15". A variant of the opening section
leads to a massive climax and a repeat of the abrupt ending of
the first section (6’02"). After two beats of silence the
trio provides a much contrasting, plaintive atmosphere in duple
time. Initially the strings dominate but at 7’11" the brass
enter and rapidly build a climax which dies away amongst rising
figures in the strings which are answered in the woodwind. At
7’41" the harp enters to accompany a gentle motif in the
horns and pizzicato strings. This is followed by the violins returning
to the plaintive feeling of the opening (8’01") before the
main theme of the trio is recapitulated at 8’51". The brass
climax is also repeated before the harp and flutes bring the trio
to an end in pastoral vein. The scherzo is then repeated unchanged.
Third movement –
Adagio: Feierlich langsam, doch nicht
schleppend
The main theme enters
on the first violins in the third bar
over a tonic chord (D flat) played by
the other strings. As in the previous
movement, the theme has very simple
roots but the music derived from it
is ultimately profound. Initially, although
beginning on the A flat above middle
C, it is played on the G string. The
woodwind and brass enter at the end
of the sixth bar, accompanying the violins
in a chromatic downward scale which
imparts an elegiac mood. At 1’17"
a climax is reached with a rhetorical
upward arpeggio following which the
violins leap downwards to A natural
(or is it B double flat? Bruckner gives
both in the score). This leads to a
peaceful interlude based on development
of the initial material in which the
harp is prominent. From 2’44" there
is a section of recapitulation before
the cellos introduce the second theme
at 4’30". This is long-breathed
and quite majestic. At 6’03" the
horns play a variant and gradually the
music builds to a climax (6’54")
in which the second theme is partially
iterated in the lower strings and brass.
But here Bruckner breaks off and introduces
a questioning, ambiguous passage in
triple time based on material from both
first and second themes and concluding
with 4 bars of heart-rending accented
string music. After a pause of one beat,
the opening theme returns and Bruckner
takes a long time to build a climax.
This is reached at 10’41" but is
foreshortened and dies away after just
four bars to a quiet iteration of the
downward scale theme in the violins.
This gets louder and faster before giving
way to a short woodwind passage which
returns us to the original tempo and
leads to a restatement of the second
theme at 11’46". At 13’19"
the tenor trombone gets the tune and
leads into an abrupt and anguished climax
(13’44") following which the violins
play the second theme and give it a
quite different, more hopeful character.
The mood gradually becomes calmer until
at 15’09" the first theme re-enters.
Almost immediately dark overtones are
added and the music builds to an anguished
climax with the brass most prominent.
At 17’05" the first of the passages
that Haas reinserted from the first
edition is played. The effect of this
passage is to bridge two climaxes by
adding some music which builds towards
the second. The second climax (17’49")
is more hopeful in character and brief.
Soon the strings are building towards
another but it proves a false alarm.
At 19’09" a calm interlude briefly
intervenes. Finally we are moving towards
the ultimate peak and this is reached
at 20’05" with five bars of glorious
blaze following which the orchestra
quietens immediately to leave the harp
to conclude. Without a pause the violins
play a C flat triple forte (20’32")
by way of introduction to a dark iteration
of the first theme. These eight bars
of music are stunning in conception
and must be difficult to bring off in
performance. A more peaceful mood gradually
prevails over the next eight bars with
the harp again prominent. At 21’50",
after a long pause, we enter the coda,
initially with the second theme played
on the first violins. Horns play a prominent
accompanying role as the strings play
music of exquisite simplicity, ending
with a simple downward tonic scale played
very quietly. The mood is restful and
ethereal.
Fourth movement
– Finale: Feierlich, nicht schnell
The opening of the
finale never fails to thrill me and,
indeed, the contrast between the sublime
close to the adagio and blazing fanfares
of the first section of the finale is
immensely striking. The fanfares are
an unusual mixture of major and minor
keys, and throughout the strings play
crotchets with chromatic appoggiaturas,
establishing a very clear rhythm base.
The feeling provoked is one akin to
setting out on an epic journey. At 1’45"
a slower section begins with deeply
felt string writing. The mood is initially
dark but there are flashes of light.
The initial tempo is soon resumed and
a pastoral interlude interspersed with
semiquaver figures on the flute and
clarinet leads at 4’08" to important
new material where the strings provide
a plain rhythmic base and the woodwind
and brass introduce a long descending
third main theme. There is a gradual
development to a climax following which,
at 4’56", the music breaks off.
After a long pause, the downward theme
is played slowly and expressively. After
another pause, Bruckner seems to building
a climax but it is a false alarm again
and then suddenly, at 5’47", the
fires are raging and anguished brass
give vent to their feelings in triple-dotted
rhythms. Eventually the music dies and
at 6’36" there is a pastoral interlude
which is one of the passages Haas reinserted
from the first edition. A brass chorale
at 7’10" brings us back together
with Nowak and is followed by a minor
key rendition of the downward third
theme played with immense feeling on
the strings. At the end of this is another
additional passage in Haas (from 7’54"
to 8’06") – a kind of answering
section just a few bars long. There
follows then a return to the opening
material but it is highly developed
and the climax comes on the strings.
Here Bruckner weaves in material from
the various sections until, at 10’06
there is another sudden blaze and from
10’44", several more concerted
climaxes. At 11’25" the music becomes
peaceful and primarily based on the
opening material. An emotional climax
builds without the brass. At 12’36"
the music breaks off and the brass quietly
intone material reminiscent of the first
movement and an ambiguous but beautiful
passage gradually dies. At 14’03"
there is a proper recapitulation of
the opening and if anything, an even
greater climax, finally blazing in C
major in a foretaste of the ending.
At 15’17" the music is suddenly
quiet, brooding and then building to
a loud and positive sounding iteration
of the downward theme of third section.
All the material is starting to come
together here but there is time for
recapitulation of the second section,
again in a slower tempo (17’05").
From 17’47" to 18’17" is the
final additional passage in Haas, giving
an extra brief mini-climax following
which there is a link passage which
dies away to lead us to a final recapitulation
of the third section (from 19’03").
A climax is built and the first theme
of the first movement appears in the
brass at 20’12" as preparations
for the coda are made. There is time
for an iteration of the emotional string
writing of the second section. Then
a long pause is needed before the coda
steals in quietly at 20’28". This
builds and builds and uses every block
in the symphony to achieve one of the
most powerful endings in all music.
Initially in the minor, C major bursts
in providing majesty and hope. A sustained
climax is reached and the work ends
with the notes E, D, C – played fortissimo
and tutti, simplicity itself ... but
to quote Robert Simpson, it has "tremendous
finality".
Selected recordings
Bruckner’s 8th symphony has been recorded
many times, perhaps by as many as a hundred different conductors,
some of whom have had several attempts. There is an excellent
discography of his symphonies here.
A check of a UK classical CD sales website reveals that there
are about 20 versions readily available, not counting those which
are part of complete sets. Here I will only consider the versions
that I own, these are conducted by Horenstein, Haitink, Karajan,
Tintner, Boulez and Wand. I have heard other versions and there
are some that I am still looking out for so it should not be regarded
as a comprehensive review – merely personal experience and choice.
The Horenstein recording
is his studio version made for Vox with
Pro Musica Orchestra in the mid-1950s
(a live recording from 1970 is available
on BBC Legends). It was probably the
first recorded version of Nowak’s edition
(which was published in March 1955).
Unfortunately, I do not think it is
currently obtainable – I imported the
CDs from the USA a few years ago and
the postage cost almost as much as the
discs (it is coupled with Liszt’s Faust
Symphony). The sound is mediocre for
the period and the orchestra not in
the same class as the Berlin or Vienna
Philharmonics. And yet there is no doubt
that this is a great interpretation.
Perhaps I am biased because this is
the first version I ever heard but,
in my view, this version should still
have a place in the catalogue even though
there are now many excellent alternatives.
Horenstein’s conception of the work
is seamless and tempi are perfectly
judged. Although he does not linger
in the first movement, an essential
sense of mystery is retained. His adagio
is perfectly poised, simply ethereal
at the close and the finale as fine
as in any other version I have heard.
Bernard Haitink has rightly gained a reputation
for his conducting of Bruckner but his first recording of the
8th, made in 1969, has been considered a relative flop.
I have it as part of the complete set of Concertgebouw recordings
he made in the 1960s and 1970s. When re-issued about 10 years
ago, Richard Osborne commented favourably on the whole set in
the Gramophone but suggested that "you will need another
version of the 8th". That goes without saying
but, personally, I would not write off this version. At just under
74 minutes it is the fastest reading I have heard but I do not
have a problem with any of its speeds. For me this work can legitimately
last anywhere from, say, 73 to 88 minutes without necessarily
being too fast or slow. Haitink’s reading has both vigour and
structural coherence, and it is very well played. I don’t feel
it detracts at all from the complete set. Interestingly, Haitink’s
1995 version with the Vienna Philharmonic is a very different
conception and in some ways it has the best sound of any of the
recordings I have heard. This version runs for over 83 minutes
and is evidently the product of long experience. Again, it has
not really been given its due by some critics but it is currently
available on a Philips Duo coupled with a magnificent version
of the 3rd symphony at bargain price (see review).
It would not be possible to have a discussion
of recordings of this symphony without considering those made
by Herbert von Karajan. He made three studio versions and there
is also a live version which has been reviewed
recently on MusicWeb. Unlike Haitink, Karajan’s conception did
not vary dramatically over the years although he exhibited more
urgency when performing live. If you can find his earlier studio
versions cheaply, they are worth having but the 1988 reading with
Vienna Philharmonic is the most desirable, particularly as it
has recently become more affordable; previously the two discs
were at full price without a coupling. This was one of Karajan’s
last recordings and was first issued around the time of his death
in 1989. The music-making affects you in a way that can’t easily
be described and this factor underlies the Rosette awarded in
the Penguin Guide. In places there is an "earthiness"
that is not normally part of Karajan’s make-up; he had a special
affection for the work and surely knew that this was his last
time. The playing and sound are marvellous throughout and this
version is well worthy of the praise that has been heaped upon
it.
Tintner’s recording is one of only four that
have yet been made using Nowak’s edition of the first version
of 1887. Whereas Inbal, who made the first recording of this score,
did so because he was recording a cycle of first versions, Tintner
apparently did so because he believed that it was preferable to
the 1890 version. He doesn’t convince me but I am glad he made
the recording since listening to it is a good way of exploring
and understanding the origins of the work. Tintner adopts rather
slow tempi throughout and the adagio lasts for over half an hour.
The playing of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and
recorded sound are fine. The coupled Symphony No. 0 is a bonus
and, being on the Naxos label, this will not break the bank (see
review).
Boulez made his recording with the Vienna Philharmonic
live at St. Florian (where the young Bruckner was a chorister;
he later became the organist and is buried there) on the 100th
anniversary of his death in 1996. As far I am aware, he had not
previously recorded any Bruckner nor conducted this symphony.
He brings surprising freshness and great coherence to the work,
and his reading is highly recommendable. It is available on CD
or DVD video - I have the latter which also contains an interview
with Boulez and has the benefit of displaying the wonderful surroundings.
These provide some indications of the inspiration behind Bruckner’s
"cathedrals in sound".
Last and, certainly not least, there is Gunter
Wand’s final recording, made live with the Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra in 2001. As with Karajan’s 1988 version, it was one
of his last recordings and a fitting memorial. Wand and Karajan
had little in common but their last readings are not dramatically
dissimilar in overall approach. Wand’s tempi are slightly broader
and to my ears he brings rather more humility and humanity. Ultimately,
this may be why at the moment, I prefer this recording by Wand
to any other version (see review
by John Quinn). This is my current single choice for the desert
island.
Postscript
If you are interested in this work, all of the
recordings I have discussed above are worth hearing. The Wand
is a personal first choice, Karajan a close second and an obvious
general recommendation. Haitink’s Concertgebouw series would be
an excellent choice for a set of all the symphonies. All three
of these recordings use the Haas edition of the score but, if
necessary, it is not difficult to follow them with Nowak’s edition
bearing in mind that there are some short extra passages in the
adagio and finale that will not be in the score. For an authoritative
account of the works, Robert Simpson’s Essence of Bruckner
(originally published in 1967 and updated 10 years later) is unsurpassed
but unfortunately seems to be out of print. Apart from the discography
mentioned above, I find the main sites that internet search engines
take you to a little disappointing. However, a biography
by Gabriel Engel which was originally published in 1940 is worth
reading.
I hope I haven’t given
the impression that my devotion to this
symphony is to the exclusion of the
others by this composer - far from it.
However, there is no doubt in my mind
that it was his greatest completed achievement.
The work moves beyond the heights gained
in the middle symphonies into new territory
– hence Bruckner struggled again initially
but, in the revised version of 1890,
he created something quite extraordinary.
The unfinished 9th is comparable
as far as it goes. Although I do not
feel a sense of incompleteness as its
great adagio draws to a close, sketches
(and realizations) of the finale, with
which he grappled for about two years
before his death, show that he was struggling
again. We shall never know whether or
not he could have excelled the 8th.
For me, therefore, this is a musical
experience unsurpassed by anything else
I have yet heard.
Acknowledgment
I am grateful to John
Quinn for reviewing this article and
for his helpful suggestions.
Patrick C Waller
Addendum of December
2008:
First, I would like
to thank quite a few readers who took the trouble to feedback
to me about this article. To my surprise, they included a conductor
who was about to perform the work in Sheffield! In the four
or so years which have elapsed since the article was first posted
I have heard several more recordings of the Eighth symphony
and the main purpose of this addendum is to discuss them briefly.
Regarding the point made above about score availability, it
was recently pointed out to me that both Haas and Nowak editions
of the 1890 version are available from sheet music plus.com in
the USA. Apparently the Haas edition currently costs about $60
more – quite a lot for about 30 extra bars of music! Many of
the scores I have found on various websites do not clearly specify
which of these editions is for sale. So if anyone knows how
to get hold of the Haas edition at a reasonable price, please
let know by e-mail
and I will add this information to the article. Whatever your
preference in this respect, if you are going to listen to recordings
of both editions and want a single score, the ideal approach
would be to acquire the Haas edition and mark the passages in
the adagio and finale which are excluded from the Nowak edition.
First, I will mention
three recordings made in the mid-1950s which are therefore contemporaneous
with Horenstein’s Vox recording mentioned above. Eduard van
Beinum’s rendition with the Concertgebouw Orchestra has resurfaced
in the Naxos
Classical Archives from which it is available very cheaply
as a download only. This is a very decently played, dramatic
reading with swift tempi and a reasonable recording. Klemperer’s
Cologne recording on Medici Masters is live but has better sound.
As one would expect, Klemperer adopts an objective approach
and, interestingly, his tempi are remarkably similar to van
Beinum – both versions come in at about 72 minutes. Em
Marshall liked this version and I can understand why. No
need to dally much on Carl Schuricht’s Stuttgart radio version
(on Hänssler CD93.148). Although the interpretation is admirable
enough and I have been impressed with some of the other Schuricht
recordings of the period, this one has too many fluffs for repeated
listening. Despite the virtues of van Beinum and Klemperer,
Horenstein’s version remains the most desirable of the period
and it is now much more readily available - as a download
- than in 2004.
Also from the same
era is Karajan’s EMI studio recording which I reviewed
when it returned to the catalogue in 2005. Admirers of the conductor
will want to have this version but I am increasingly of the
view that his 1988 recordings with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
are finer. I say “recordings” because, in addition to
the DG set which I mentioned above, Sony has issued a DVD containing
a studio performance made in the same month which is very similar
but not, I suspect, identical. The visual presentation is a
little spartan but the sound has been remastered for surround
capability and, in stereo, is better than on most DVDs I have
heard. There is a coupling of a live Berlin performance of the
Ninth symphony dating from 1985, all on a single disc which
costs about £7. This is an unmissable bargain and a reminder
of how great a conductor Karajan was in this repertoire.
Two other conductors
with a considerable reputation in Bruckner are Karl Böhm (notably
his Fourth) and Giulini (notably his Second), both of whom recorded
the Eighth with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for DG. The
former gives a very solid reading on a mid-price single disc
with a notably light touch in the scherzo. Carlo Maria Giulini
is more spacious and refined throughout but perhaps too beautiful
in a work which is meant to have a tough side. I have also seen
and heard him conduct this symphony in a live performance on
DVD from Stockholm which was the inaugural concert of the World
Philharmonic Orchestra but had some reservations there too (see
review).
To me, Giulini seems more completely convincing in his recordings
of the Ninth symphony.
I recently acquired
Bernard Haitink’s 2005 live Concertgebouw performance as a free
download
(until 31 December 2008 only). John Quinn reviewed
the same when it was issued on disc and has said it all – a
very decent recording in all respects. It’s a toss up between
this and his Vienna version but I seem to find myself less moved
by Haitink in this particular work over time.
In addition to the
above recordings, I have also acquired recordings of the Eighth
as part of complete sets conducted by Barenboim (review),
Skrowaczewski (review)
and Jochum (his Dresden version on EMI). The first two are decent
enough but neither lingers in my memory greatly. The Jochum
reading does linger but for the wrong reasons – too many liberties
with tempi and surprisingly poor sound for the period and venue.
Wilhelm Furtwängler’s 1944 live recording with the Vienna Philharmonic
Orchestra has been made available on various labels but sounds
most tolerable in a recent remastering by Music & Arts (see
review).
Furtwängler also plays about with the tempi and he uses what
is effectively his own edition by making several modifications
to Haas. There is some indefinable magic here but it’s hardly
a mainstream choice.
One curiosity I
should mention is the organ transcription made and performed
by Lionel Rogg on BIS CD-946. It is fascinating to hear the
work played on Bruckner’s own instrument and it works surprisingly
well. Some of Rogg’s tempi are as quick as I have heard, particularly
the adagio, but they make sense in this context.
Aside from the Rogg,
I have covered twelve additional recordings above and been rather
negative about only two or three, perhaps because this is piece
I find it hard not to enjoy listening to! Nevertheless, I don’t
think any of them displace the version which was at the top
of my pile in 2004. Since then I would find it much harder to
pick just one version so I am now going to recommend three:
Horenstein on Vox as my historical choice, Wand on RCA as a
top modern CD version and Karajan on Sony for a DVD. Such a
trio won’t break the bank but it would give you three different
but greatly satisfying views of this visionary work.