Recorded way back in 1971, this very fine Bruckner Eighth (Haas Edition) has enjoyed a checkered career on several labels. Perhaps this time it will hang around for while. Rudolf Kempe shapes a very persuasive performance characterized by well-defined rhythms (listen to the strings spit out those grace notes at the beginning of the finale) and a Jochum-like flexibility of tempo that never loses the long line. The climax of the Adagio, for example, manages to encompass a remarkably varied pulse without ever sounding either rushed or bombastic. Similarly, the finale’s coda, the climax of the first movement development–in short, any of those passages that involve a simultaneous presentation of themes–all register with exceptional clarity. True, the Tonhalle Orchestra of Zurich isn’t a great band, but it plays with plenty of conviction, and the brass (dark, gruff trombones in particular) acquit themselves proudly. The sound lacks a certain amount of impact at the bottom but otherwise leaves little to be desired. A must for Brucknerians and Kemperites both.
