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Henry Wood Hall, London, United Kingdom
Produced by Mark Brown
Engineered by Tony Faulkner
Release date: February 2003
Total duration: 59 minutes 27 seconds
RECOMMANDE PAR CLASSICA
'The poetry, refinement and superb sense of the long singing line are as impressive as ever in the Gaudier Ensemble’s new recording' (BBC Music Magazine)
'Glowing interpretations – a fine recording … This is a superb performance' (Gramophone)
'Consistently compelling' (BBC Music Magazine)
'This is an unusually thoughtful performance, tinged with a melancholy that certainly lies in the music but also filled with delight' (International Record Review)
'This is music that pulls us in myriad of emotional directions and includes some mightily challenging writing. All of this is welcome meat and drink to the excellent Gaudier Ensemble, who play the work with an obviously deep affection’ (The Evening Standard)
'L’Ensemble Gaudier façonne une version mémorable’ (Classica, France)
'Son [L’Ensemble Gaudier] interprétation de l’Octuor est certainement parmi les plus belles de la discographie actuelle, donc chaudement recommandée!’ (Créscendo, France)
'the playing provides a sublime tension as each of the performers respond to the others’ input with a high degree of intelligence' (Hi-Fi Plus)
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Movement 1: Adagio – Allegro
[15'02]
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Movement 2: Adagio
[10'12]
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Movement 3: Allegro vivace
[6'15]
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Movement 4: Andante
[11'23]
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The Gaudier Ensemble’s latest recording proffers one of the most popular works in the chamber music repertoire, and one of Schubert's best-loved masterpieces. In 1824 it was suggested that Schubert should write a work similar to Beethoven's Septet [also recorded by the Gaudiers for Hyperion]. He subsequently approached the project with such enthusiasm and concentration that a friend wrote of him 'If you go and see him during the day he says "Hello. How are you?" and carries on working, whereupon you leave'. Schubert added a second violin to Beethoven's scoring for clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, cello and double bass, but adhered to the Septet's movement structure and key sequences almost entirely. However, the melody and beauty that infuse the Octet is quintessentially Schubert, and justify the work's enduring popularity. Here are outstanding performances from an ensemble that draws together some of the most distinguished musicians in Europe. |