The Australian World Orchestra (AWO) moves from strength to strength with its latest release on ABC Classics: Bruckner’s mighty Eighth Symphony, conducted by the internationally renowned Sir Simon Rattle and recorded live at the Sydney Opera House. The AWO is an orchestra like no other: the finest Australian classical musicians from the leading orchestras around the world, come home to join with the top Australian-based players in one thrillingly talented super-ensemble. With 95 electrifying musicians, representing more than 40 orchestras, together under one roof, the Australian World Orchestra is, in the words of Sir Simon Rattle, ‘one of the great orchestras of the world’. Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 is the perfect choice of repertoire for such a brilliant ensemble: grand in scope, intimate yet profound in its emotional journey, and radiantly beautiful. The AWO’s performances in July 2015 under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle left audiences cheering, and critics hailing the event as ‘pure musical Viagra’ and ‘a sublime rendition of the infinite in sound’. The performance was crowned Best Orchestral Concert of the Year at the 2016 Helpmann Awards. ABC Classics is proud to present this award-winning performance on CD, captured live in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House.