This second instalment in Capriccio’s ambitious project to record all of the versions of the symphonies in the New Anton Bruckner Collected Works Edition adds a notably impressive performance of the Eighth Symphony to the catalogue. In terms of the musical text, there are no surprises here, Nowak’s edition of the 1890 version of the symphony not yet having been replaced in the collected edition. Nor, despite Markus Poschner’s noted intention in the booklet to ‘understand the text fresh and anew’, does the interpretation diverge from familiar performance practice in the work. What we do get, however, is a wonderfully articulate presentation of the score in terms of phrasing, transparency and tone colour.

Unlike the same performers’ recording of the Sixth Symphony (11/21), where similar qualities were apparent in an interpretation that was otherwise slightly reserved, the performance of the Eighth has a sense of power and depth that makes itself felt from the very start. Tempos are on the swift side compared with the majority of recordings made in recent decades, but never feel rushed. The Scherzo is thrilling at Poschner’s chosen tempo and the build-up to the climax of the Adagio is superbly controlled. The second cymbal clash makes a tremendous impression and the playing of the divided strings immediately afterwards is deeply eloquent. Indeed, the orchestral playing is of the highest order throughout, on a level with that of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra for Mariss Jansons in his marvellously cogent recording on BR Klassik.

Capriccio’s booklet note deserves mention for its inclusion of a superb essay by Paul Hawkshaw detailing the symphony’s evolution from the initial 1887 version rejected by the conductor Hermann Levi to the final 1890 version played on this recording. Coupled with sound of surpassing transparency and range, this is an extremely distinguished release.