Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Gaudier Ensemble :: Schubert: Octet

Sunny Schubert

Alan Lekan | Boulder, CO | 01/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Throughout his life, Franz Schubert often felt obscured by the shadow of the great Beethoven - both literally and figuratively really - and the commissioning of this Octet is just one example. As history goes, a high-ranking official of the Court of Archduke Rudolph wanted a companion piece to Beethoven's immensely-popular Septet Op. 20 for his personal use as a clarinettist and commissioned Schubert. Perhaps wanting to up the stakes, Schubert added a second violin to make it an Octet and enhance the sonority of the work. So, the Archduke got his Beethoven-like piece and Schubert went on humbly with little recognition or fame in comparison to Herr von Beethoven in spite of a stellar composition brimming with youthful zest.



Schubert's one-and-only Octet is a skillfully-composed galante work full of sunny optimism and typical, abundant Schubertian melodies. Yet, its radiance begiles the increasing suffering of the composer in that year - a year in which he probably sensed the 'beginning of the end.' After this happy-toned Octet, Schubert evolved a darker, more emotive and more profound style and depth in his last compositions that revealed both a new maturity and a new, unrestrained emotional expressiveness as a composer. These works - late piano sonatas, the monumental String Quintet (D956) and the imposing last three string quartets - consumate Schubert's place in history of music - although it would take decades to realize with the public. And in doing so, this short, humble and terribly shy composer finally moved from the shadows of his idol and into his own greatness as a composer with works of grand proportions, supreme maturity and immense gravity - works even Beethoven surely would admire.



With its six movements lasting nearly an hour, Schubert's Octet is his quintessential composition in the Mozartian spirit of the late 18th-century wind serenades. The scoring for two violins, viola, cello, double bass, horn, bassoon and clarinet is equisitely rich in tonal coloration and appeal. Many ensembles have recorded beautiful performances of this grand work, of which is the Gaudier Ensemble. In reviews from Penguin or Third Ear Guides, this recording ranked with the best for its opulent tones, appropriate "Vienesse style" and elegant shaping of the music. Their playing of the slow movements is equisite, poised and artistic - revealing the serene beauty inherent in such wind music of that period. The balance between strings and winds is perfect as is the crisp, clear sound from Hyperion. An additional bonus is four pages of excellent notes from famed British critic, Richard Wigmore. Along with the recording from the Weiner Octet, this is a warmly recommended recording (but with a slightly richer sound quality to my ears than the other mentioned choice). 4.5 stars."