Bruckner Apocalyptic

Bruckner Apocalyptic Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall Reviewed: Feb 27

Bruckner's Symphony No 8 can be a difficult experience for both performers and audience: carelessly handled, its epic size and weight produces a vacuous 80 minutes dotted with blustery climaxes. The work's premiere in 1892 was criticised as dismal and long-winded; Saturday's performance by the Philharmonic was a resounding rebuttal of that judgment.

The Arts Festival usually kicks off with an internationally renowned orchestra, but with playing like this one begins to wonder why.

The orchestra sounded unusually tight in ensemble, intention and colour; the latter was especially well judged in the numerous high spots where surges of sound gave the capacity audience an intense hug rather than an assault on the eardrums. Not only was the blend of sound impressive, but also the way the players responded as one to Edo de Waart's fluid direction, particularly effective in the difficult last movement. De Waart established an irresistible momentum, drawing a persuasive contrast between earthly religiosity and a higher order.

The pacing of the scherzo was similarly fine-tuned. There was a lot of cut-and-paste but the louder sections had an easy lilt. Although the softer interludes were bland and the longer lines tended to tread water, the impeccable tuning and committed delivery ultimately won.

But the Adagio left one a little frustrated, underplaying the movement's emotional potential: less of an intense outpouring in the confessional, it was as though self-consciousness had crept in.