Performed only three times during Anton Bruckner�s (1824-1896) lifetime, the immense Symphony No. 8, considered the composer�s most awesome and sweeping symphony, took over five years to write and revise. Symphony No. 8 premiered on December 18th, 1892, by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Hans Richter, and was met with mixed criticism. Eduard Hanslick described the symphony as �interesting in detail, but strange as a whole, indeed repellent,� while Hugo Wolf wrote that the symphony was �the work of a giant,� and that it �surpasses the other symphonies of the master in intellectual scope, awesomeness, and greatness.� Instrumentation: 3.3.3.3(3d.CBBsn): 8(5-8dWagnerTbas).3.3(3BTbn).1: Timp.Perc(2): Hp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).