2 times 2 quartets makes 2 octets
Homiski | 08/31/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Written when he was only 15 years old, Mendelssohn's octet in E-flat Major is one of those pieces you will just shake your head and say "i can't believe that was written by a 15 year old!" How many people can remember what they were doing at 15. Well on this disc we have the fruits of one 15 year old, in all of its innate lyrical tension and drama. The recording brings together the now-disbanded Cleveland Quartet with one of their protege quartets, the Meliora Quartet. Many critics have said that it was at the time of this recording that the Cleveland was at its height before they had several personnel changes. I've listened to recordings of the Cleveland after these changes and they still ROCK in any personnel configuration. In terms of programming this disc is the only recording on the market to pair both of Mendelssohn's octets. I give it 4 and a half stars out of 5."