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Sir Mark Elder explores Bruckner’s ‘greatest symphony’, the Eighth, for the very first time - from Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.

Bruckner’s deeply held religious faith motivated his music and it’s been aptly said that he glorified God through his symphonies. He laboured over his Eighth for 16 years and, after its premiere, the composer Hugo Wolf declared that it was ‘the work of a giant’. At its core is the sublime slow movement where Bruckner included the rich sonorities of Wagner tubas. But no less astonishing is the ending of this seventy minute work where Bruckner brings together themes from all the movements in a moment once described as one of 'blazing calm, an act of emphatic consolation.' As a prelude to this epic symphony, the Hallé Youth Choir sings Bruckner's short motet, Os justi: 'The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart, and his feet do not falter. Alleluia.'

Presented by Tom Mckinney and recorded at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester on 29 Feb.

Bruckner: Ave Maria
Bruckner: Os justi - gradual for 8 voices
Bruckner: Symphony no. 8 in C minor (Haas edition)

Hallé Youth Choir, Stuart Overington (director)
Hallé, Sir Mark Elder (conductor)

Followed by exclusive broadcasts of Making Music’s Adopt a Music Creator project, featuring:

Dominic Matthews’ Singing for Pleasure, performed by Singing for Pleasure (choir)
Robin Fiedler’s Castle in the Sky performed by Regent Brass, and Camden Brass Band