Israel Philharmonic (Oded Antman)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Mar. 12, 2014)

Something old, something new, something ideal.

In a nutshell, that’s how Zubin Mehta, 77, the renowned music director for life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, might sum up his upcoming Ann Arbor program with the group.

The orchestra, a top-notch ensemble with which Mehta has had a relation for more than 40 years, makes its first Ann Arbor appearance in a decade Saturday at 8:45 p.m. (note late starting time) at Hill Auditorium, under University Musical Society auspices.

For that appearance, familiarity, novelty and perfection are bundled into just one work, the sole piece on the bill in Ann Arbor and in many cities on the IPO’s
U.S. tour: Bruckner’s immense, full-voiced Symphony No. 8 in c minor, the last symphony he completed. The work premiered in 1892, two years after Bruckner finished revising it.

Vast in vistas, scope and length (it clocks in at more than 80 minutes), the Bruckner 8 is demanding of audiences as well as conductors. Rewarding, too…

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