Quatuor Modigliani, Sabine Meyer, Dag Jensen, Bruno Schneider & Knut Erik Sundquist - Schubert: Octet (2020)
FLAC (tracks+log+.cue) - 257 Mb | MP3 CBR 320 kbps - 144 Mb | Digital booklet | 01:02:11
Classical | Label: Mirare
FLAC (tracks+log+.cue) - 257 Mb | MP3 CBR 320 kbps - 144 Mb | Digital booklet | 01:02:11
Classical | Label: Mirare
Being that Schubert was suffering great mental and physical anguish at the time of his Octet’s completion in 1824, it’s surprising that the work is so sunny and optimistic. At a little over an hour, it’s the Austrian composer’s longest chamber work—and his most inspired. With just eight instruments, Schubert crafts an opening movement on the scale of a Beethoven symphony, ideas ricocheting between strings and woodwind, bass and treble. The “Adagio” is a sublime song for clarinet that rivals Mozart for its understated beauty while an ebullient central scherzo, stately variations, and suave minuetto culminate in a finale of intense drama that seems to glance toward Wagner. It’s all stunningly recorded and performed, too—a benchmark performance full of wit, passion, and charm.