Prom 65: Bruckner 8, BBC SO, Bychkov, Monday 4 September 2023

[bluestateprommer]

Monday 4 September 2023
19:30
Royal Albert Hall

Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 in C minor (1890 version, ed. Leopold Nowak)

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Semyon Bychkov, conductor

https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e8gxp6

https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/proms/bbc-proms-2023/prom-65-bruckners-eighth-symphony/

[Prommer]

I am really looking forward to Bychkov's Bruckner 8 this evening with the BBCSO.

I was due to hear it some years ago (in 2015, I think), but he had to withdraw and instead it was conducted by Leif Segerstam, whose slow tempi must have made the BBC (and possibly the BBCSO) cross because it buggered up their schedule.

It came in at 103 minutes! It will be fascinating to hear what Bychkov does with it.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I am really looking forward to Bychkov's Bruckner 8 this evening with the BBCSO.

I was due to hear it some years ago (in 2015, I think), but he had to withdraw and instead it was conducted by Leif Segerstam, whose slow tempi must have made the BBC (and possibly the BBCSO) cross because it buggered up their schedule.

It came in at 103 minutes! It will be fascinating to hear what Bychkov does with it.

I went to that performance. There was a vocal outburst at the end though it found favour with many on the forum including me. The BBCSO played their socks off that night.

[duncan]

I'd been looking forward to seeing Bychkov and the BBCSO's Bruckner 8 in 2015. I wasn't a fan of the Segerstam interpretation, though not to the point of booing it. I hope Bychkov's hip is not troubling him at the moment.

Anyone know what edition they are using?

[Prommer]

See above at the start of the thread: 1890 version, ed. Leopold Nowak

[edashtav]

See above at the start of the thread: 1890 version, ed. Leopold Nowak

Many Brucknerians will be disappointed by this news.
However, 50% of conductors seem to prefer Nowak(1890 Style) so Bychkov’s choice is not unexpected.
Bychkov did conduct the Chicago S.O. in this work in 2015.

One contemporary review suggested: “One could say that last week Bychkov conducted Shostakovich [#8] like a Frenchman and Thursday night he conducted Bruckner like a Russian.”
what does that mean?
Prepare yourself for sonic splendour with bracing brass and some fast tempi, e.g. in the first movement.
It will be well-characterised but the Adagio may lack spiritual insights.
However, eight years is a long time and Semyon may be less Russian than formerly.

We shall hear, and doubtless, debate

[Prommer]

Anyone remember the BBCSO Bruckner nights with Gunter Wand? 'Course you do...

[Petrushka]

Anyone remember the BBCSO Bruckner nights with Gunter Wand? 'Course you do...

I attended a couple of Wand's unforgettable 8's and an equally magnificent 5.

[Tony Halstead]

Anyone remember the BBCSO Bruckner nights with Gunter Wand? 'Course you do...

Yes indeed I do!
Does anyone remember Jascha Horenstein's Bruckner 8 with the LSO in the Proms a VERY long time ago? The date, 10th September 1970 is engraved on my memory, probably because I was playing in it ( horn and Wagner tuba). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doqGV_tVwCI

[Prommer]

Some lovely detail there, but not an 'interpretation' for the ages...

[Prommer]

Almost bang on 90 minutes. The BBC will be pleased!

[Alison]

Some lovely detail there, but not an 'interpretation' for the ages...

Spot on

[edashtav]

Spot on

Yes, indeed, some spectacular moments; loads of heavy brass but not adding up to a convincing performance. By the end, the brass sounded ‘brassed off’ as the tempo broadened and they were required to maintain full volume for so, so very long. If Bychkov produced a Russian performance with the CSO back in 2015, his approach has not changed, substantially.
All gas but no gaiters: the adagio was played with raucous climaxes; Visceral United 8, Spiritual Seekers 0

A systemic failure studded with noisy thrills ( but, fortunately, few spills).

[vibratoforever]

Yes indeed I do!
Does anyone remember Jascha Horenstein's Bruckner 8 with the LSO in the Proms a VERY long time ago? The date, 10th September 1970 is engraved on my memory, probably because I was playing in it ( horn and Wagner tuba). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doqGV_tVwCI

I attended that night, and indeed Bruckner 5 the next year with Horenstein and BBC SO, and both have appeared on cd.

Not yet listened to tonight's Prom but a few minutes of the Scherzo I heard on my car radio did not set the pulse racing

[teamsaint]

Yes, indeed, some spectacular moments; loads of heavy brass but not adding up to a convincing performance. By the end, the brass sounded ‘brassed off’ as the tempo broadened and they were required to maintain full volume for so, so very long. If Bychkov produced a Russian performance with the CSO back in 2015, his approach has not changed, substantially.
All gas but no gaiters: the adagio was played with raucous climaxes; Visceral United 8, Spiritual Seekers 0

A systemic failure studded with noisy thrills ( but, fortunately, few spills).

Oh I don’t know Ed, it sounded ok up in the circle…..

Plenty of flexible tempi I thought, and the rest of what you could hear through the sounds slush puppie slurping, folks wandering in and out in boots and heels, etc was reasonable enough.
and “ bravo man” , who was actually sat next to me, but lost out to an even better “Bravo Man” by a split second, thought it was, well, worthy of a loud and rapid fire “ bravo” .
And who am I to argue ?
Had many worse nights out. Me, not him.