Search - Bruckner, Rogg :: Symphony 8: Unique Organ Transcription

The content of Bruckner's mind?

Evan Wilson | Cambridge, MA | 10/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anton Bruckner was one of the greatest organists in history and it's said that when he composed for orchestra he had the sound of the organ in his head. For instance, his orchestration frequently juxtaposes orchestral choirs (like organ stops) with silences in between to allow for the acoustic decay organists must cope with when they perform. With this in mind, Lionel Rogg reverses this idea and lets us hear one of Bruckner's greatest orchestral pieces on the organ.Is it successful? Well, that depends on what you're looking for. Because of the complexity of Bruckner's score, there are places where Rogg has trouble wrapping his fingers (& feet!) around everything that is going on. As a result, there are clunky bits including awkward transitions where Rogg is desperately trying to change registrations.On the other hand, where it works it's almost better than the original. Listen, for instance, to the "annunciation of death" sequence right before the quiet coda of the first movement. The registration Rogg chooses makes it a terrifying scream which no orchestra can come close to matching. The opening to the finale is another example where massed brass can't quite equal the titanic power of the organ.Ultimately, this disc is a must for Bruckner fans because it gives an impression of what Bruckner might have been thinking when he composed his 8th symphony. Perhaps Rogg could be convinced to transcibe the 9th as well where Bruckner uses many outlandish orchestrations which after listening to this disc clearly reflect the sound of the organ.PS This disc also saddens me because it reminds me of all the amazing organ improvisation Bruckner produced during his lifetime with no recording equipment around to save."