Corina Kolbe, Rondo Magazine, 16 September 2023:
"The recording is convincing across the board. The very first movement, Allegro moderato, conveys an impression of brilliance and maximum transparency, even more so than Järvi's earlier recording of the same work with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. The monumental symphony can be experienced here in a colourful complexity, without any harshness or overbearing overbearing even in moments of dramatic climaxes. (...) Järvi and his Zurich orchestra present themselves at world-class level with this harmonious interpretation."
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Jean-Claude Hulot, Diapason, October issue:
"La Tonhalle de Zurich s'y couvre à nouveau de gloire et montre qu'elle a gardé avec le chef estonien l'excellence atteinte durant la période de David Zinmann."
"The Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich once again covers itself in glory and shows that with the conductor from Estonia it has maintained the excellence it achieved during David Zinmann's time."
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Peter Hagmann, Wednesday at 12, 22 September 2023:
"The traditionally fundamentally orientated sound is unreservedly lively, it is carried by homogeneity, volume and warmth. Added to this is a responsiveness that suggests a solid understanding between the orchestra and its music director. Positioned to the left and right of the conductor in accordance with German tradition, the two violin sections engage in a lively dialogue – the second violins on an equal footing with the first violins. The woodwinds add pronounced colours to the overall sound, although they are not always given sufficient space. As always, the four horns and the four Wagner tubas, which are joined by a remarkably flexible solo tuba, are magnificent. The trumpets and trombones also leave nothing to be desired, except, as noted, that they should be better restrained. In addition, there is a pronounced care in the organisation of the long movements."
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Colin Anderson, Colin's Column, 3 September 2023:
"It's a very recommendable release, potent in the first movement, intensely lyrical and fastidiously detailed (especially in horns and bassoons), the big climax moved towards with surety and well-timed expansion and delivered with appropriate agony. One of the aspects for enthusing about this version is the thrillingly express tempo Järvi adopts for the Scherzo, with no loss of particulars, the players unfazed (violins flying either side of the podium), the Trio moved along persuasively yet with a welcome degree of languor introduced at just the right moment."
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Christian Lahneck, Concerti, 11 September 2023:
"In the slow movement at the latest, it becomes clear that Järvi has brought the Tonhalle Orchestra to a high level. Many nuances, many nuances, even in solo sections."
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Geoff Brown, The Times, 23 August 2023:
"If Bruckner could ever be made to sound light and athletic, Järvi's your man. (...) The finale is cumulatively magnificent, with life's struggles gradually clearing, leaving a final ringing peroration in the brightest of key signatures: C major."
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Robccowan Magazine, 23 July 2023:
"Please don't get me wrong. I do know my favourite 'great Bruckner Eights' - Furtwängler, Celibidache, Böhm, Szell, Rosbaud, Schuricht, Giulini, Karajan, van Beinum, and others. Can Järvi justifiably join their ranks? That's the point I want to make. He can, well and truly. If you love this work as much as I do, Järvi's Zurich Eighth simply has to be heard."
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Terry Blain, Classical Music Magazine, 5 September 2023:
"Very few Bruckner outings compel from start to finish, but this one does. It marks out Paavo Järvi as one of our greatest living Bruckner interpreters." *****
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Bertrand Balmitgere, Crecendo Magazine Belgium, 24 September 2023:
"Highly recommended version, especially for frequent Brucknerians, it will naturally find its place in their library! (...) Sound: 10 Record: 10 Repertoire: 10 Interpretation: 10"
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