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Review by fafnir September 2, 2009 (8 of 11 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (MC): |
If I never had heard the Bruckner 8 but listened for the first time to the two main versions of the score, the original and the Novak, not knowing which was which, I would conclude that the original was the revised and improved version and the Nowak was the original draft. That, of course, is not the case; I've known and loved this score in the Nowak (and sometimes the Haas) versions for over 50 years. Accordingly, I was simply blown away by the revelation of the original version. Not only is the orchestration superior, but the structure with its tension-building dynamics is also improved.
The following are the significant highlights of the changes:
First Movement - It doesn't die away, but concludes with a fortissimo statement of main theme.
Second Movement - There is a new trio using material contained in the revised version. It is charming, but different from the familial version.
Third Movement - Several passages are extended and at the main climax there are six crashes of the cymbals.
Fourth Movement - Several passages are extended including the build up to the coda.
Throughout, as I stated above, the orchestration IMHO is more mature and simply more interesting to hear. It is also fascinating to hear the bits and pieces that Haas dropped into Bruckner's revision in their original context.
Both performance (live) and sound are quite good. I have no significant criticism - Simone Young has demonstrated a genuine feeling for Bruckner throughout her series thus far. I doubt that there will ever be finer version of the original on SACD, and I no longer have any interest in either the Nowak or Haas.
Recommended for Bruckner enthusiasts.
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