BaL 19.10.24 - Schubert: Octet

[Pulcinella]

1500
Building a Library

Tasmin Little selects her favourite version of Franz Schubert's Octet in F major (D. 803)


Presto listing here:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/works/55448--schubert-octet-in-f-major-d803/browse

The BBC MM release (November 1999: Volume 8, Number 2) is listed as 'Michael Collins and friends':

https://www.discogs.com/master/1132184-Schubert-Michael-Collins-And-Friends-Octet

From this subset of Award winners

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/works/55448--schubert-octet-in-f-major-d803/browse?award_winner=true&size=10&view=large&sort=relevance

it would appear that in June 2002 the First choice was the Vienna Octet, with the Budapest Schubert Ensemble and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble versions also being recommended.

[MickyD]

My personal favourites are the AAM Chamber Ensemble and Hausmusik.

[smittims]

Once again, this is a work that has attracted the finest musicians over many years. And it's not difficult to record, so older recordings lose less in comparison with new ones. Many will find the versions (four, I think) by the Vienna Octet to be the most idiomatic. I especially like the 1958 recording made by John Culshaw in the Sofeinsaal, one of the early Decca Stereo LPs with a lovely cover photo of the Schubert statue in sunlit snow. The Vienna Octet's CD remake took advantage of the extra available length to open up all the repeats, a sublime experience when one is in the mood to hear it all.

[Darloboy]

Apologies all, I haven't been posting the previous winners for some time. Tbh, I've become a bit bored with BaL since it moved to the afternoon time slot.

The Octet used to be featured on BaL regularly (1958, 1966, 1970, 1975, 1982) but this is the first time it's been covered for nearly quarter of a century. Previous winners that I'm aware of:

David Murray (Jan 1990): Gaudier Ensemble
Richard Wigmore (June 02): Vienna Octet + Also recommended: Schubert Ensemble, Budapest and ASMF Chamber Ensemble

[Pulcinella]

Apologies all, I haven't been posting the previous winners for some time. Tbh, I've become a bit bored with BaL since it moved to the afternoon time slot.

The Octet used to be featured on BaL regularly (1958, 1966, 1970, 1975, 1982) but this is the first time it's been covered for nearly quarter of a century. Previous winners that I'm aware of:

David Murray (Jan 1990): Gaudier Ensemble
Richard Wigmore (June 02): Vienna Octet + Also recommended: Schubert Ensemble, Budapest and ASMF Chamber Ensemble

You're not alone, though I'm not sure bored is quite the word for me: indifferent?
I'd intended to listen today (Bach English Suites) and totally forgot.

[CallMePaul]

My personal favourites are the AAM Chamber Ensemble and Hausmusik.

I've not heard Hausmusik but do have the AAM Chamber Ensemble, and would like to hear the recent version from Isabelle Faust and friends. However, I fear that a (retired) modern violinist might balk at the idea of a period performance. Personally I rarely listen to modern performances of any Schubert instrumental work but this a personal choice and am aware that others will beg to differ

[Petrushka]

Once again, this is a work that has attracted the finest musicians over many years. And it's not difficult to record, so older recordings lose less in comparison with new ones. Many will find the versions (four, I think) by the Vienna Octet to be the most idiomatic. I especially like the 1958 recording made by John Culshaw in the Sofeinsaal, one of the early Decca Stereo LPs with a lovely cover photo of the Schubert statue in sunlit snow. The Vienna Octet's CD remake took advantage of the extra available length to open up all the repeats, a sublime experience when one is in the mood to hear it all.

There are five versions from the Vienna Octet, recorded in 1948, 1954, 1957, 1976 and 1990 all of which I have on my shelves. The first three are in the Boskovsky box as well as the Decca Eloquence Vienna Octet volume 1 box. The last two are in volume two of the Eloquence Vienna Octet box. The reviewer needs to make clear which one they are talking about!

[Pulcinella]

There are five versions from the Vienna Octet, recorded in 1948, 1954, 1957, 1976 and 1990 all of which I have on my shelves. The first three are in the Boskovsky box as well as the Decca Eloquence Vienna Octet volume 1 box. The last two are in volume two of the Eloquence Vienna Octet box. The reviewer needs to make clear which one they are talking about!

This is the one that Presto claims was the 2002 winner:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8052103--schubert-octets