London Symphony Orchestra/Bernard Haitink: Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8, Barbican Hall

Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 is a monumentalwork that takes place on an epic scale, and would prove the composer’s lastcomplete utterance in this genre. Conductor Bernard Haitink has maintained aclose relationship with Bruckner’s music throughout his life, and hisperformances with the London Symphony Orchestra have been greatly admired bycritics. Don’t miss out on a much-awaited performance of this landmark work.

Although the symphony’s 1892 premieredivided opinion, the work has since taken an unquestioned position within thecore classical repertoire. One figure who recognized its worth from early onwas critic and composer Hugo Wolf, who deemed the work to be 'the work of a giant that surpasses the other symphonies ofthe master in intellectual scope, awesomeness and greatness'. Constructed in giantformal building blocks, Bruckner’s ‘cathedrals in sound’ possess a sense of thesublime. The symphony appears to occupy its own realm of time, with expansivemelodies and stretched-out formal processes placing events on a grand scale.Encompassing shattering climaxes and moments of contemplation, Bruckner’sjourney is ultimately uplifting, culminating in a blaze of glory.

Bernard Haitink’s mature recordings of Bruckner symphonies are considered by many to be the benchmark interpretations.Bruckner devotees have eagerly anticipated his recent recordings with the LSO,praised for their pulse and momentum that allows the conductor to penetrate theheart of the work while creating a sense of scale. The transparency of the LSO’ssound is suited to the precision of Bruckner’s orchestration; all in all, thisconcert promises to be a memorable occasion.