United Kingdom Prom 65 – Bruckner: BBC Symphony Orchestra / Semyon Bychkov (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 4.9.2023. (JR)
Bruckner – Symphony No.8 in C minor (1890 version, ed. Nowak)
The BBC Proms are now, finally, drawing to a close and this concert was (if we exclude the fun and games of the Last Night) the final heavyweight performance by the BBC Symphony Orchestra who are the backbone of the Festival. For this concert, Semyon Bychkov, in his eleventh year as the orchestra’s ‘Günter Wand Conducting Chair’, gave us a masterly reading of the composer’s final completed symphony, his Eighth, in the 1890 Nowak edition. This is the edition normally played nowadays, the original version being longer and slightly less dark, orchestration less rich and less refined. Thankfully, Bychkov did not precede or follow the work with anything else: the focus was wisely on the main event.
Was it coincidence that the performance was given on Bruckner’s birthday, 199th? Probably not, though I found no reference to the fact in the programme. Will it mean more Bruckner performances in the year of his 200th anniversary? Let us live in hope.
Bruckner’s symphonies have been called ‘cathedrals in sound’ and the acoustics of the cavernous Royal Albert Hall, not ideal for some intimate compositions, work well for Bruckner’s monumental soundworld. Bychkov certainly knows his Bruckner and performs the Eighth quite regularly. Although he uses a score, he hardly looks at it, and has a view on every phrase. Bruckner’s trademark ascending and descending scales never sounded pedestrian, and no bar is taken for granted. His reading was not fast, but he maintained an unerring sense of pulse; and the exhilarating climaxes of searing power lacked nothing in intensity or volume. Bychkov coaxed some glorious playing from the orchestra, perhaps the result of an extra rehearsal? His rapport with the orchestra was evident and visible.
The orchestra was on its very best form, glorious, blended horns and Wagner tubas, blazing brass and a particularly dynamic timpanist. The string section was augmented and produced silken sound whenever required. They excelled in the sublime, yearning Adagio, the opening theme played ardently by the whole string section. Bychkov dug deep with the urgent chords after the second cymbal clash, the very heart of the movement and heart of the symphony. At times one could sense that the reading had a Russian weightiness, and perhaps less mystery – but the overall result was unarguably fine. The ending of the work was a particular glory, Bychkov laying out the themes transparently before the symphony’s final awe-inspiring and exhilarating close.
The Prommers could hardly wait for the last note to end before, rightly, bursting into wild acclamation.
John Rhodes
Totally agree. What an experience!
Amazing – a true successor to Günter Wand. I found his control of the last movement particularly impressive. Not a dull note throughout the whole evening
I wish I had been there. Nothing quite like a Bruckner Symphony in the RAH, especially No.8 and No.9. Certainly sounded great on the radio.
With not many ‘Great Orchestras’ visiting the BBC Proms this year, we have our own in the BBC Symphony Orchestra showing us what a great height they can reach. Truly a magnificent and memorable evening.
This was my first BBC Proms experience on-site, absolutely magnificent!
The best performance of Bruckner 8 I ever attended was at the BBC Prom in 1985 with the BBC SO and Günter Wand. I remember thinking then I could easily have sat through a repeat performance of that monumental work if my bladder had permitted! Bychkov and the BBC SO was certainly right up there in that lofty category even listening to it online. Congrats and many thanks to all for another truly awesome aural experience of grand and majestic Bruckner at the Proms!
Let’s hope there are many Bruckner works in the 2024 Proms. Hopefully there will be and not just his brilliant symphonies. A mass or two would be a welcome extra!