Jukka-Pekka Saraste & WDR Sinfonieorchester Koln - Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 (2016)

When conductors choose to perform a Bruckner symphony, they either use the original version, in the belief that it reflects the composer's true intentions, or select one of the later revisions, which are solidly established in the repertoire. For this 2016 Profil release, Jukka-Pekka Saraste has made an interesting compromise by choosing Robert Haas' edition of the 1890 revision of the Symphony No. 8 in C minor, which avoids the awkward moments in the original 1887 version, yet preserves some felicities that Bruckner omitted in subsequent versions. This may not mean much to the average listener, and for the most part, this version is quite close to most recordings made prior to the 1990s, so anyone who grew up on Bruckner before the millennium will find it more or less familiar and completely satisfying. Saraste leads the WDR Sinfonieorchester Koln in this performance for radio broadcast, and he states that it is a privilege to conduct this orchestra, which made many great Bruckner recordings under Gunter Wand. If there is a little of Wand's style in Saraste's expansive phrasing and warm orchestral blend, it may be because he grew up listening to Wand's recordings, so it's fair to say that he is keeping a great tradition alive. The performance rates high marks for Saraste's scrupulous interpretation and the orchestra's committed playing, though the recorded sound is a little distant and homogenized. -- Blair Sanderson