Octo_Russ

Bruckner - Symphony 8 [Wand-Kolner Rundfunk Sinfonie Orchester]

Well this is the first time that these discs appear in my Blog, i've had this set for roughly 4 years, it's an exciting acquisition, wand is almost a Bruckner specialist, he just tips over the 80 minute mark here, creating the need for a second disc, i don't know why, but single disc versions of this Symphony seem like they're not substantial, whereas a nice boxed set like this feels chunky and significant, i can't shake off the feeling, that of all Bruckner's Symphonies, this should be the only one that should show it's immense depth by demanding a second disc, don't whizz through this Symphony, take time to unfurl its treasures.

Gunter Wand was born almost 100 years ago in Germany, and died in 2002, a Conductor that was meticulous in rehearsal, usually requiring lots of rehearsal time to 'get it right', he recorded this work a number of times, this set was recorded in 1979, the front cover is tremendously inspiring, a colour picture that is almost black and white in appearance, taking up half the front cover, the rest is black background, which makes the picture stand out in even more starker contrast, lovely lettering in the box, and a dash of red colour with the logo, and of course Bruckner's signature at the bottom, a set which is a pleasure to own.

I played this while out for a long walk, again i must mention it's the very end of the Autumn here [tomorrow will be December, and that's a Winter month in my book!], so this was a final goodbye to Autumn, kicking my way through the fallen leaves, the third movement Adagio was extra poignant here, and it was this movement that i enjoyed the most, however there were highlight moments throughout the whole Symphony, and i would like to give a synopsis of each little 'event' here,
Movement 1 [5:22-6:22], the horn and oboe have a dialogue lasting a minute, where the oboe echoes the horns call. 
Movement 2 [6:56-7:15], one of the great things about this Symphony, is the way Bruckner employs a harp, and he uses it like a soloist at times. 
Movement 3 [2:26-2:56], the harp and violins play a tender duet together, very touching, and a little later it reappears, Bruckner is the king of slowing the music down to lighten on something truly stunning, a real breath of fresh air.
Movement 3 [6:27-6:51], a horn call, serenades us almost out of the mists as it were, over shimmering tremolo high strings in the background.
Movement 3 [18:15+], what a strong lyrical yet sweet string passage, sad and yet wistful, Bruckner seems to be the master at plucking out of the air, something extra sweet after a sour episode.
Movement 3 [22:03+], and then begins the long gut wrenching coda, soothes as well as saddens, that after 20 minutes Bruckner is bringing arguably his greatest movement to a close, it's like saying goodbye to a dear friend that we will never see again!. 
Movement 3 [23:41-24:14], those horns and strings!, the very best part of the coda, it's so heartbreaking and heartwrenching.
Movement 4 [0:00-0:57], the last movements opening is inspired, those brass fanfares on the lower brass, topped off by the higher brass, what an announcement!.
Movement 4 [6:13-6:54], out of nowhere the brass shocks and startles, with the timpani in a march like mode, almost like the drums on an ancient attack ship, the galley slaves rowing for their lives!.
Movement 4 [7:25-7:53], wow!, those horns really are the top brass, how wonderfully Bruckner can burnish things.

Here's Gunter Wand conducting the opening 3 minutes of the fourth movement on YouTube.