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

[Petrushka]

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

https://www.prestomusic.com/classica...chubert-octets

That's on the Decca Eclipse label as a bargain reissue so without looking at the reverse it's impossible to guess which one it is. However, Eclipse was used by Decca to issue older recordings and I'll stick my neck out and say it's the 1957.

[Retune]

I think Presto are right. Here is the BaL entry:

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio3/classical/cdreview/bal1213.pdf

Schubert: Octet in F major, D.803 Richard Wigmore
22nd June 2002
First Choice:
Vienna Octet
(recorded 1990; c/w Minuet and Finale for wind octet, D72)
DECCA 448 715-2 (CD, budget)
Also Recommended:
Schubert Ensemble, Budapest
(recorded 1992; c/w Octet D.72 in F Major)
NAXOS 8.550389 (CD, budget)
Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Ensemble
(recorded 1987)
CHANDOS CHAN 8585 (CD)

And here is that Eclipse release on discogs:

https://www.discogs.com/release/16331943-Schubert-Wiener-Oktett-Octet

Decca – 448 715-2, Eclipse (2) – 448 715-2

Ⓟ 1992 Ⓒ 1996 The Decca Record Company Limited, London, England.
Recorded: Mozartsaal, Konzerthaus, Vienna, 12-15 January 1990.

[smittims]

Thanks, Petrushka; I was unaware of the 1976 recording .

I have the Eclipse CD and it says it is the 1990 recording. The little wind octet is delightful. I often play it as a foil to Mozart or Beethoven's music for wind ensemble.

[MickyD]

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

The Octet I find works very well on period instruments. The Hausmusik one is worth seeking out, recorded when they were doing some fine work for the EMI Reflexe label.

I notice you can get it on marketplace for a couple of quid, and the reviews are very encouraging, too.

[richardfinegold]

I actually only have one, the Nash Ensemble. This piece pops up frequently on my favorite radio station, Radio Venice