Bruckner's Second Symphony is not his most popular. In Bruckner's day, orchestral musicians mockingly called it the 'Pope's Symphony' because of the many general silences throughout the orchestra. The conductor Andris Nelsons sees this as an advantage. According to Nelsons, the themes are clearly separated from one another, while everything still forms a whole. Nelsons therefore sees this symphony
… as the ideal starting point for anyone wishing to learn about Bruckner's symphonies. Opposite the neglected Second is the colossal Eighth, which was also a success in Bruckner's day. Nelsons conducts the Eighth in the revised version of 1890 (Leopold Nowak edition). 'Nelsons' performances have pulse and flow at the same time. It is clear that Nelsons belongs among the great Bruckner interpreters', said Merlijn Kerkhof in the Volkskrant about an previous volume (6 & 9) of this Bruckner cycle. (HJ)more
