ArtistInfo

Franz Schubert, Wiener Oktett
Octet In F Major

Album UK 1958 on Decca label
Classical

Schubert’s light and flowing Octet in F major is of great importance in both an historical and a compositional aspect. Thanks to its combination of string and wind instruments, it is akin in character to the cheerful divertimento and the contemplative serenade. That the commissioned work is very similar to Beethoven’s popular Septet op. 20 with regard to the individual movements and the key relationships is by no means accidental – that was what was ordered. Schubert occupied himself with the almighty giant’s composition, though for a different reason: with his own Octet he wanted to »pave his way towards writing a great symphony«, whose dramatic force and form is clearly suggested here. Steeped in the musical traditions of the city on the Danube, the Vienna Octet is the ideal ensemble to perform this work. Led by Willi Boskovsky, who became world famous as concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor of the New Year’s Day Concerts, the ensemble plays with great agility, joy and togetherness from the first note on. The sound of each individual instrument comes over vividly in a natural, chamber-music-like atmosphere. Advertised as a new release in "Twenty-seven more Decca-group stereo LP records...", Gramophone magazine, November 1958.

Musicians

	Franz Schubert voc, p, 1797-1828 AT album by
	Wiener Oktett , *1947 AT album by
	Rudolf Hanzl bsn, bassoon
	Nikolaus Hübner vc, cello
	Alfred Boskovsky cl, 1913-1990 AT clarinet
	Johann Krump cb, double bass
	Josef Veleba alp, horn
	Günther Breitenbach vl, 1911-1992 viola
	Philip Matheis violin
	Willi Boskovsky vn, 1909-1991 AT violin

ArtistInfo App

Acknowledgements

Other Search Results