Sir Mark turns his energies to exploring Bruckner’s ‘greatest symphony’, the Eighth, for the very first time.

Bruckner’s deeply held religious faith motivated his music and it’s been aptly said that he glorified God through his symphonies. The composer laboured at his Eighth for 16 years and, after its premiere, the composer Hugo Wolf declared that it was ‘the work of a giant’. At its core is the sublime slow movement where Bruckner included the rich sonorities of Wagner tubas. Composed five years before Bruckner began the symphony, his rapt motet Os justi, sung by the Hallé Youth Choir, will establish the perfect ambience for the epic symphonic and emotional journey that follows.

Please note there is no interval in this concert.