Octet (Schubert)

Octet in F major, D 803 by Franz Schubert is one of the most popular chamber works for a mixed cast of strings and winds.

Formation

From about 1817 Franz Schubert, gone due to the intensive study of the works of Ludwig van Beethoven, whose genius he meant not to be overcome by a considerable creative crisis. Many unfinished works, such as the String Quartet Movement in C minor and the Symphony in B minor from this period testify to this write paralysis. In 1824, Schubert seems to have overcome the crisis, he worked intensively at several chamber music works.

The octet has been this year of Count Ferdinand Troyer, the High Steward of Archduke Rudolf of Austria - Tuscany and an excellent clarinetist, commissioned and finished composing according to Schubert's handwritten note on 1 March 1824. He himself wrote in a letter to:

What is likely to be understood as an allusion to the two years later composed Great C Major Symphony.

The work

In many ways, the octet strongly suggests the Septet by Beethoven, Schubert, however, has attached in almost every respect small extensions. Also here you can find to overcome his inferiority complex based on the respectful treatment of the Beethoven's concept. The divertimento tone that dominated in Beethoven, Schubert is in his middle movements after also, in the outer movements and the Adagio is heard but the typical dramatic and soulful music that is also found in the other chamber works from this phase.

Occupation

Clarinet, bassoon, horn, two violins, viola, cello, double bass

For Beethoven's occupation of the composer added so a second violin added, which significantly improves the dynamic balance between strings and brass and the string ensemble a " orchestraleren " gives sound.

Sets

The full sequence is based strictly on the model of Beethoven Septet, with the small exception that the minuet and the sound of the Scherzo swapped places:

Reception

The work was premiered in 1824 still in a private concert, the first public performance took place in 1827 at the Vienna Musikverein and was developed by the criticism mainly because of the enormous length ( about 50 minutes) criticized. In fact, two sets were in the first edition, which was published until 1853, is omitted, the first complete edition was not made until 1872. Latest at this time so must have been clear that the Schubert Octet be counted among the most important chamber works of the 19th century needs.

Publications

  • David Oistrakh and other Russian musicians, 1957, EMI Mono ADD
  • Academy Chamber Ensemble, 1978 Philips recording: London 5/1977 with ao Iona Brown
  • Gidon Kremer and others, 1988, German Grammophon - Live concert in curls house with top-class soloists
  • Consortium Classicum, 1997, MDG, recording the team led by Dieter Klocker
  • Scharoun Ensemble Berlin, 2002, Tudor - The chamber music ensemble of the Berlin Philharmonic
  • Vienna Octet Decca. - Octet of members of the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. Recording: Sophie Hall, Vienna, March 1958
  • Ensemble house music 1991, EMI. - Recording on period instruments
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