Symphony No.8 By Anton Bruckner

III. Adagio. Feierlich langsam, doch nicht schleppend The Great "Slow Movement: " Contemplation and Ecstasy The conductor stands facing his musicians, they face him. This will be beauty's high moment. There is a silence as startling as a morning without songbirds. These are the moments before the runner bolts, before the chess player moves her Queen, before four lips shape a kiss, before the poet writes the word, t-e-n-d-e-r. The depths into which these players can descend, the heights which they can attain, are known only to the highest Imagination: Prepare for the Vision... It is like a woodland path just after a heavy rain, the birds have resumed singing, raindrops glisten in the restored sunlight, the scent of wet bark is sweet. It is the sap running through the furthest branches. It is the rabbit hopping through tall grass, it is deer bounding in pursuit or in flight, it is my soul rushing ahead to greet the woodland souls. We alternate walking slowly or running nimbly. But listen now, just listen. Bruckner's music is enveloped in Nature's Web.... and Heaven's Glory. "To the greater glory of God, " he inscribed in the score. Some claim, their eyes burning with sacred fire, that angels descended and took Bruckner's soul to paradise. And the old man, now a blessed spirit, rejoiced: "Now to teach the Angels to sing my Te Deum, and to write a Symphony scored for the Spheres themselves... " * * * * The conductor moves his baton in an apparent silence, so quiet is the Adagio's opening. This is music of the gentle ascent. This is music that, step by step, regains its ancient home where stars shine and moons glow. It is as if an angel descended,and we were afraid because his first words were, "Be not afraid." Then folding his wings, he pointed to a golden staircase. "The music will guide your ascent, and it will confer grace."