. Part 2
Symphony No. 8, im C minor. Bruckner
The Eighth (perhaps Bruckner's greatest and, in some ways, subtlest complete work) occupied him from 1884 until 1887. He carefully preserved the original score which conflicts with the version that he was persuaded to issue in 1890. The latter is being played tonight.
The grim and challenging first movement
(Allegro moderato) begins and ends darkly. The Scherzo has fantastic power, with a reflective Trio for contrast. In the great Adagio, Bruckner achieved his longest design, so subtly balanced that its coherence results from the use of a single chord. The Finale, for all its climaxes, is essentially peaceful. Robert Simpson