I achieved a lifetime's ambition when Sir Simon Rattle came to Sydney to conduct the Australian World Orchestra at the Opera House and I was there. Simply breathtaking!
00:30 I. Allegro moderato 15:42 II. Scherzo. Allegro moderato - Trio. Langsam 30:35 III. Adagio. Feierlich langsam, doch nicht schleppend 58:02 IV. Finale. Feierlich, nicht schnell
As a girl, I was a member of our local record library. No way could I afford Bruckner records... the only two they had were 5 and 8, and I fell in live with 8, especially the 'rising scales' in the finale, which carry such a weight of lurking drama ready to burst out. My first ever copy was one by Barbirolli, a very cheap one, heavily affected by Sir JB's 'singing' as he conducted. This version is sublime. I trained as a classical fiddler, but mainly play fiddle or mandolin in traditional 'sessions'. The mood is much the same--a group of musicians really, really enjoying not just the music itself, but the joy of its creation.
Just as we've come to expect from Sir Simon. Polished, precise, and passionate. Great playing, one of the best versions of this deep mega-work. It's not an easy one to make convincing, but he does it superbly.
After a number of years of trying and failing to 'get' Bruckner, during lockdown, I have taken the opportunity to really sit down and listen, repeatedly, one symphony at a time. I always enjoyed symphonies 4 and 7 plus some of his choral work. Now I get him, and quite frankly love his music. This is a wonderful performance with perfect tempos and terrific phrasing. I come from Birmingham UK so Sir Simon will always be special. However, he really does make this symphony sing and how the orchestra respond to him is pretty amazing. 33.04 is positively etherial.
Well done, I can't think of a better use of Lockdown! Coming from the other end, as someone who first heard and fell in love with the Fifth (and that's the one people don't seem to like!) when I was only ten, it's Mahler that was, and still is, someone I don't entirely 'get', even though I do understand his influences. Personally, although I do like Bruckner's Fourth it is very much in the shadow of the ground-breaking, powerful, beautiful Fifth, and I must be the only classical music fan who thinks that the Seventh, apart from the Scherzo and the coda of the slow movement, is Bruckner's worst symphony (apparently the only person of note who has agreed with me on that one appears to have been Clara Schumann, who called it 'A terrible piece'!). Even the Third, which was never really satisfactorily completed, is better and indeed more enjoyable in my humble opinion. Also no.0 deserves far more recognition than even Bruckner gave it. It is the foundation stone of his symphonies and the forerunner of 3 and 9. I would rate no.0, no.2, no.5 and nos. 8 and 9 as his greatest works, along with the F minor mass. But yes, the Eighth is wonderfully deep and powerful and, in the slow movement, moving beyond words (and quite modern I think in its expressiveness, compared to the likes of Tchaikovsky or Brahms slow movements). Btw, I grew up in Lichfield, went to school in Walsall and attended several of Sir Simon's Mahler concerts in his early days in the Town Hall (which again being contrary, I prefer to the Modern Symphony Hall) so kudos to our man here. A sterling performance.
I'm a big low brass fan (though a woodwind player), and I've looked high and low for my favorite version of the finale so far as the brass playing is concerned, and I believe this is it. Wagner tuba players that can play the cursed thing! And an entire brass section that knows how to be a section! So often in European orchestras these brass parts are done well as a section but too politely, and in the US, it's just played with reckless abandon, kind of every man for himself. This section plays with enormous strength but also cohesion. Really enjoyable recording and fabulous players in all sections.
Over the years I've accumulated a lot of recordings of this symphony and I certainly agree with what you say about this performance. But I have to admit that I adore the sound of the brass section of the Vienna Philharmonic. The first recording I ever bought, many years ago, was Solti conducting the VPO and it still sounds wonderful. However in my opinion the recently-issued recording by Christian Thielemann with the VPO (recorded live in October 2019) is the finest, especially since Thielemann (like Rattle but unlike Solti) uses the Haas edition and divides his violins left and right. (I haven't heard his earlier recording with the Staaskapelle Dresden.)
@@bikerpaul68 i really like the brass from the Vienna Philharmonic as well for this. however, my favorite is "Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 / Mehta · Berliner Philharmoniker" august 17, 2012
@@bjornegan6421 That's one recording I don't know! I did hear Mehta conduct the VPO in Bruckner's 8th in Baden Baden about 10 years ago and I was disappointed. Beautiful sound but emotionally cold. Rattle and Thielemann on the other hand set my pulse racing and send shivers down my spine.
Wonderful commentary, Philip. I find myself checking the brass passages in 8th recordings as well, and usually I'll go right to the adagio coda for starters. The phrasing; group harmony; dynamics; etc., etc. A few years ago, when I was in Munich, I was heading back to the train station (to ride back to Lindau), and just a few blocks before the station, I noticed halfway down some side street, was this music store and they had Wagner Tubas showcased on display there. I recognized them instantly so I ran in the store. "Wow, those are Wagner Tubas there?" I quickly asked the staff. "Yes! Do you play?" I explained, no, I'm a professional musician but I don't play those. The display had several of both the tenor (Bb) and the Bass (F). They were just absolutely beautiful things to gaze at! Yes, and since I'm sure someone wants to know? I checked, and the models on display start at around 10,000 US. dollars.
Would also recommend the Lorin Maazel Berlin Philharmonic recording. Not the best interpretation but you'll find possibly one of the best Bruckner playing on disc, especially with the timpani at opening of the finale.
I never envisaged Rattle as a bruckner conductor , but that was damned good. Glad he chose the more filled out Haas version, which to me sounds more balanced. Great sense of occasion. Pity I wasn't there..
Rattle developed tremendously in his many years in Berlin with a highly responsive virtuoso orchestra to anticipate every nuance. He is a truly great conductor
53:45 I love how they give the pauses plenty of space to breath. You can hear the reverberations decay naturally without interruption. This is really in the spirit of Bruckner.
what a joke. Nobody can match Bruckner 8, played by Münchner Philharmoniker and conducted by Celibidache. The beginning of these eight (Rattle) is boring and far too fast
We live in the greatest of all times for classical music-can you imagine Bruckner?? He had to wait for a century to get his due!! Arguing over silly things like you guys are doing is WORSE than his critics!! Enjoy the music!! If you don't like it, get an orchestra and do it yourself!
SO BEAUTIFUL ❤️❤️❤️ BRAVO!!!! I didn't discover Bruckner until I was in my forties-What a MASTER!!!! Thank you maestro and incredible orchestra-this is a performance worthy of this GREAT misunderstood genius of all time !!!❤️🙏🏼The adagios alone of the seventh, eighth, and ninth, show Bruckner to be with the the best of the best 🙏
@@franciscoruiz3040 There's also a live proms performance of the eighth at the Royal Albert Hall. Paavo Niermi has awesome performances of the study, nulte, and first symphonies. Bruckner must have known something because he saved the scores and allowed them to be published when he died. I think he didn't want those two guys (I forgot what their names were) to tamper with his work 😇😇
The legatos at 22:02 in the low brass and low strings is completely incredible. Beautiful tone and intonation, and the ability to be able to keep them as smooth from note to note is miraculous! Well done!
One of the greatest Symphonies ever written. Absolutely magnificent. Bravo to Sir Rattle and the Australian World Orchestra for this awesome performance. Hearing this music renews my faith in the righteousness of Western High Art and it's Life-affirming glory.
Going to the Proms on Monday to hear this. A superb acount down under that I have only just discovered. Also great camera work and angles, look out for audience reaction to great cymbal bash after 52:29, but orchestra look excited to play this under Rattle too.
When asked by the BBC Simon Rattle said that this was one of the three greatest symphonies ever written, the other two being Beethoven's third and Mahler's das lied von der erde. Source: www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/04/beethoven-eroica-greatest-symphony-vote-bbc-mozart-mahler
That's been bothering me. After Bruckner 8 I would choose Haydn's 80th and Nielsen's 4th. Beethoven's symphonies are not on the same level as his late quartets and piano sonatas, and although I am a huge fan of Mahler I think his music is just too vulgar to be great.
The funny thing is that this orchestra does actually make a few mistakes, but I don’t care at all, because they get the SPIRIT of the music exactly right.
Is it really necessary to mAke all those goddam and useless faces to conduct? and then to obtain only a good sound but with no bruckner at all inside? In few words a beginner...
I achieved a lifetime's ambition when Sir Simon Rattle came to Sydney to conduct the Australian World Orchestra at the Opera House and I was there. Simply breathtaking!
00:30 I. Allegro moderato
15:42 II. Scherzo. Allegro moderato - Trio. Langsam
30:35 III. Adagio. Feierlich langsam, doch nicht schleppend
58:02 IV. Finale. Feierlich, nicht schnell
As a girl, I was a member of our local record library. No way could I afford Bruckner records... the only two they had were 5 and 8, and I fell in live with 8, especially the 'rising scales' in the finale, which carry such a weight of lurking drama ready to burst out. My first ever copy was one by Barbirolli, a very cheap one, heavily affected by Sir JB's 'singing' as he conducted.
This version is sublime. I trained as a classical fiddler, but mainly play fiddle or mandolin in traditional 'sessions'. The mood is much the same--a group of musicians really, really enjoying not just the music itself, but the joy of its creation.
Just as we've come to expect from Sir Simon. Polished, precise, and passionate. Great playing, one of the best versions of this deep mega-work. It's not an easy one to make convincing, but he does it superbly.
After a number of years of trying and failing to 'get' Bruckner, during lockdown, I have taken the opportunity to really sit down and listen, repeatedly, one symphony at a time. I always enjoyed symphonies 4 and 7 plus some of his choral work. Now I get him, and quite frankly love his music.
This is a wonderful performance with perfect tempos and terrific phrasing. I come from Birmingham UK so Sir Simon will always be special. However, he really does make this symphony sing and how the orchestra respond to him is pretty amazing. 33.04 is positively etherial.
Well done, I can't think of a better use of Lockdown!
Coming from the other end, as someone who first heard and fell in love with the Fifth (and that's the one people don't seem to like!) when I was only ten, it's Mahler that was, and still is, someone I don't entirely 'get', even though I do understand his influences. Personally, although I do like Bruckner's Fourth it is very much in the shadow of the ground-breaking, powerful, beautiful Fifth, and I must be the only classical music fan who thinks that the Seventh, apart from the Scherzo and the coda of the slow movement, is Bruckner's worst symphony (apparently the only person of note who has agreed with me on that one appears to have been Clara Schumann, who called it 'A terrible piece'!). Even the Third, which was never really satisfactorily completed, is better and indeed more enjoyable in my humble opinion. Also no.0 deserves far more recognition than even Bruckner gave it. It is the foundation stone of his symphonies and the forerunner of 3 and 9. I would rate no.0, no.2, no.5 and nos. 8 and 9 as his greatest works, along with the F minor mass.
But yes, the Eighth is wonderfully deep and powerful and, in the slow movement, moving beyond words (and quite modern I think in its expressiveness, compared to the likes of Tchaikovsky or Brahms slow movements). Btw, I grew up in Lichfield, went to school in Walsall and attended several of Sir Simon's Mahler concerts in his early days in the Town Hall (which again being contrary, I prefer to the Modern Symphony Hall) so kudos to our man here. A sterling performance.
I'm a big low brass fan (though a woodwind player), and I've looked high and low for my favorite version of the finale so far as the brass playing is concerned, and I believe this is it. Wagner tuba players that can play the cursed thing! And an entire brass section that knows how to be a section! So often in European orchestras these brass parts are done well as a section but too politely, and in the US, it's just played with reckless abandon, kind of every man for himself. This section plays with enormous strength but also cohesion. Really enjoyable recording and fabulous players in all sections.
Over the years I've accumulated a lot of recordings of this symphony and I certainly agree with what you say about this performance. But I have to admit that I adore the sound of the brass section of the Vienna Philharmonic. The first recording I ever bought, many years ago, was Solti conducting the VPO and it still sounds wonderful. However in my opinion the recently-issued recording by Christian Thielemann with the VPO (recorded live in October 2019) is the finest, especially since Thielemann (like Rattle but unlike Solti) uses the Haas edition and divides his violins left and right. (I haven't heard his earlier recording with the Staaskapelle Dresden.)
@@bikerpaul68 i really like the brass from the Vienna Philharmonic as well for this. however, my favorite is "Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 / Mehta · Berliner Philharmoniker" august 17, 2012
@@bjornegan6421 That's one recording I don't know! I did hear Mehta conduct the VPO in Bruckner's 8th in Baden Baden about 10 years ago and I was disappointed. Beautiful sound but emotionally cold. Rattle and Thielemann on the other hand set my pulse racing and send shivers down my spine.
Wonderful commentary, Philip. I find myself checking the brass passages in 8th recordings as well, and usually I'll go right to the adagio coda for starters. The phrasing; group harmony; dynamics; etc., etc.
A few years ago, when I was in Munich, I was heading back to the train station (to ride back to Lindau), and just a few blocks before the station, I noticed halfway down some side street, was this music store and they had Wagner Tubas showcased on display there. I recognized them instantly so I ran in the store.
"Wow, those are Wagner Tubas there?" I quickly asked the staff.
"Yes! Do you play?"
I explained, no, I'm a professional musician but I don't play those. The display had several of both the tenor (Bb) and the Bass (F). They were just absolutely beautiful things to gaze at!
Yes, and since I'm sure someone wants to know? I checked, and the models on display start at around 10,000 US. dollars.
Would also recommend the Lorin Maazel Berlin Philharmonic recording. Not the best interpretation but you'll find possibly one of the best Bruckner playing on disc, especially with the timpani at opening of the finale.
That coda of the finale absolutely raised the hair on the back of my neck and gave me goosebumps. It was scintillating.
Just fantastic
I never envisaged Rattle as a bruckner conductor , but that was damned good. Glad he chose the more filled out Haas version, which to me sounds more balanced. Great sense of occasion. Pity I wasn't there..
Rattle developed tremendously in his many years in Berlin with a highly responsive virtuoso orchestra to anticipate every nuance. He is a truly great conductor
I like the 1890 version more than this 1939 Haas version.
53:45 I love how they give the pauses plenty of space to breath. You can hear the reverberations decay naturally without interruption. This is really in the spirit of Bruckner.
Probably the best version of the Bruckner 8th I've heard. The Fourth movement is spectacular - the final resolution is beyond goosebumps ...... wow!!
what a joke. Nobody can match Bruckner 8, played by Münchner Philharmoniker and conducted by Celibidache. The beginning of these eight (Rattle) is boring and far too fast
You will quench Your thirst of the soul with this wonderful performance
Truly spectacular rendition of Bruckner's 8th - the coda is amazing.
A stellar performance. The finale is perfect. Bravo!
Impressive indeed! Love how he walked through the orchestra thanking the players-class act.
Bruckner symphies are the inspirational gem
A performance so brilliant I felt I was listening and understanding for the first time.
The magnificent peroration is like the dawn of a new age.
At 58:00 Who's the video director??? Are you kidding me??? Beginning of Finale and not ONE second of airtime to the lower brass!!! Unbelievable
We live in the greatest of all times for classical music-can you imagine Bruckner?? He had to wait for a century to get his due!! Arguing over silly things like you guys are doing is WORSE than his critics!! Enjoy the music!! If you don't like it, get an orchestra and do it yourself!
Brilliant! Damn good orchestra. And you can tell Rattle rehearsed this well. Such a shame I missed it. :(
Sublime of Bruckner’s 8th 👏👏👏👏👏🎉
SO BEAUTIFUL ❤️❤️❤️ BRAVO!!!! I didn't discover Bruckner until I was in my forties-What a MASTER!!!! Thank you maestro and incredible orchestra-this is a performance worthy of this GREAT misunderstood genius of all time !!!❤️🙏🏼The adagios alone of the seventh, eighth, and ninth, show Bruckner to be with the the best of the best 🙏
You were Lucky,l discovered him three years ago,still better late than never
@@franciscoruiz3040 There's also a live proms performance of the eighth at the Royal Albert Hall. Paavo Niermi has awesome performances of the study, nulte, and first symphonies. Bruckner must have known something because he saved the scores and allowed them to be published when he died. I think he didn't want those two guys (I forgot what their names were) to tamper with his work 😇😇
A very fine performance, kudos all around.
Sir Simon did his lesson not to smear the fnale. Respect! - Heinz
The legatos at 22:02 in the low brass and low strings is completely incredible. Beautiful tone and intonation, and the ability to be able to keep them as smooth from note to note is miraculous! Well done!
52:36 I have never that passage of string section attack done with such force like that! But I like it! That's a powerful rendering!
One of the greatest Symphonies ever written. Absolutely magnificent. Bravo to Sir Rattle and the Australian World Orchestra for this awesome performance. Hearing this music renews my faith in the righteousness of Western High Art and it's Life-affirming glory.
Totally agree 👍👍👍👍👍
Racist
The timpanist is spot on at the very ending roll of the finale movement. Antony Bediwei I believe is his name
1:17:15 The obsessiveness of Bruckner expressed perfectly here!
Just listen to Bruckner’s symphies makes I forget about the trouble and annoyances of this trasient world
That Oboist is just completely into the music
Magnificent orchestra. I wish there was a better Camera Director.
Going to the Proms on Monday to hear this. A superb acount down under that I have only just discovered. Also great camera work and angles, look out for audience reaction to great cymbal bash after 52:29, but orchestra look excited to play this under Rattle too.
Just beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!
Wanderful concert
50:30 Well interpreted and performed - quietly but with tension and steady crescendo.
58:02 四楽章がワクワクします!
58:27 こののティンパニーが素晴らしいですね😊
たいへん素晴らしい演奏だと思いました❤
ありがとうございます
When asked by the BBC Simon Rattle said that this was one of the three greatest symphonies ever written, the other two being Beethoven's third and Mahler's das lied von der erde.
Source: www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/04/beethoven-eroica-greatest-symphony-vote-bbc-mozart-mahler
That's been bothering me. After Bruckner 8 I would choose Haydn's 80th and Nielsen's 4th. Beethoven's symphonies are not on the same level as his late quartets and piano sonatas, and although I am a huge fan of Mahler I think his music is just too vulgar to be great.
Marvellous
Andrew Bain rocks, as always. LA Phil should really be thankful.
Indeed.Too bad we get virtually no glimpses of him or ANY of the brass in this video. But the playing is Awesome.
1:17:30 I’ve never heard this part done so expressively!
I thought there were only 3 conductors that could conduct Bruckner: Karajan, Maazel and Barenboim. Rattle just joined the ranks
there's Celibidache and Stanisław Skrowaczewski too
Gunter Wand
Not to forget the late Georg Tintner!
And Jochum!
And Blomstedt...
great start to the finale ... timpani are given a good bash for a change.
The funny thing is that this orchestra does actually make a few mistakes, but I don’t care at all, because they get the SPIRIT of the music exactly right.
감사합니다 😊
At 58:13 I see Andrew Bain on French Horn who is now with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
As my uncle Nate would say: Not a Wet Seat in the House ♥
59:44 God bless you.
1:16:30 Insane attention to detail. This is on the level of Celibidache and Munich, if not better!
Is a beauty music the veri bess
Not a fan of Sir Simon, but this is really great 👍 and the orchestra is stupidly good
Thanks, we think we're stupidly good too! P.s are you going to come and see our Zubin Mehta concert?
@@AustralianWorldOrchestra It's out of question 🤘
At 58:32 we see the timpanist playing his drums in the American configuration
指揮實在太重要了‼️
1:19:40 Timpanist will meet Peter Sadlo when he goes to heaven.
At 57:26 I see French Horn player Hector McDonald playing the Wagner tuba
This is a very good interpretation, the camera direction however should have given a whipping.
🎉❤Bravo 👍 aus Berlin 🍀❣️
The codain the first movement...oh God.
Lead viola understands this part very well.
❤prächtig !!!
I've seen some conductors double up the timpani part in this, simply because he has to work so damned hard.
I've seen it too. Imagine Mahler in almost all of his symphonies.
At 1:19:20 we see French Horn player Hector McDonald playing the Wagner Tuba
Haas edition 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
Fantastic!....and what a leader!
he is my god!
Timps go for it 1:03:47
47:00 🙏
Low brass 58:06
You're welcome
1:18:46
What's the guy at 58:31 doing?
I'm guessing he's checking the intonation, but I could be wrong.
0:31
The video director sucks so bad, never points in the featured voices' directions at the right times.
58:05
1:20:38 Trumpets are perfect.
Lee Anna Martin Ronald Gonzalez John
The performance is very good, but the video direction is horrible.
cymbal crashed only the 3rd
All a bit full on and not much depth of feeling. Very good timps and a beautiful flautist.
Trompete👎
Is it really necessary to mAke all those goddam and useless faces to conduct? and then to obtain only a good sound but with no bruckner at all inside? In few words a beginner...
The I'm not a beginner, but I can't stand watching Rattle conduct. All the facial contortions are distracting.
Not a great symphony, not a bad symphony. Bruckner is always condemned to be in the middle somewhere. Between Wagner and Mahler.
指揮在這裡找到了新世界！
1:09:28