This recording of Bruckner's Eighth Symphony is from Barbirolli's last London concert, some 10 weeks before his death, when he knew heart problems might overtake him at any time. What better way to say goodbye than with one of the very greatest symphonies ever written? And this craggy, towering masterpiece is given as urgent a performance as you'll hear (complemented by vivid recorded sound). Pushing the tempo risks a grating superficiality, but Barbirolli more than gets away with it through sheer conviction (complete with podium-stamping and trademark sing-alongs). The terrifying Scherzo in particular goes along at a lick, but what shivers are sent up the spine. The vast Adagio contains messinesses in terms of ensemble, but give me this passion rather than "perfection" any time. However, as Barbirolli's friend Michael Kennedy says in his sleeve-note, the ageing, ailing maestro didn't lose his sense of architecture and feeling for a phrase as the emotion flowed--the outer movements are characterised by awesome control as Barbirolli plots his course up the massive musical rock faces. Sickly swansong? No way! Favourite performances such as those conducted by Haitink and Wand will feel a tad tame after this. --Andrew Green