Joachim Raff; Felix Mendelssohn - String Octets (Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble)

Information

Composer: Joachim Raff; Felix Mendelssohn

• Mendelssohn - String Octet in E flat major, Op. 20
• Raff - String Octet in C major, Op. 176

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble

    Kenneth Sillitoe, violin

    Malcolm Latchem, violin

    Josef Fröhlich, violin

    Robert Heard, violin

    Robert Smissen, viola

    Stephen Tees, viola

    Stephen Orton, cello

    Roger Smith, cello

Date: 1989

Label: Chandos

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Review

When the ASMF Chamber Ensemble recorded Mendelssohn's Octet last year only one player remained who could have had memories of the 1978 ASMF/Philips recording listed above. The almost complete change of personnel has brought a very different new performance. In the first movement there is a slightly reserved quality in the playing: the music is performed in straightforward, uncomplicated fashion but with a slight lack of feeling and personality, so that Mendelssohn's youthful inspiration is not given its due. In the slow movement the tempo is a little on the fast side, and the players move the music on in 2 slightly nervous, hurried manner, as if they are too concerned to prevent a feeling of sluggishness. Their somewhat distant, uninvolved approach continues in the nimbly played Scherzo, and a feeling of busyness, but not much else, pervades the finale. Chandos have provided a good, quite spacious recording, but I'm afraid that this new ASMF version is not nearly so successful as the Philips, which brings out the fresh, eager, yet tender qualities in Mendelssohn's music much more vividly. The coupling there is a very good version of Mendelssohn's String Quintet, Op. 87. Decca's mid-price Vienna Octet release dates from 1972. There is a slight edge in the remastered sound, but the playing is attractively alert and affectionate. This disc also contains a delightful performance of Beethoven's Septet.

Collectors of unusual repertoire will welcome the appearance of Raff's Octet. This is a pleasant accomplished, but somewhat meandering work whose ideas tend to show promise and then burn out rather quickly. Here the ASMF players seem more stimulated by the unusual repertoire and provide a very sympathetic, attractive Performance.

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Joachim Raff (27 May 1822 —  24 or 25 June 1882) was a German composer and teacher who was greatly celebrated in his lifetime but nearly forgotten by the late 20th century. Initially a self-taught musician, he was influenced by Mendelssohn and Schumann before aligning with Liszt and Wagner's "New German School". He served as Liszt's assistant in Weimar and later taught piano in Wiesbaden. From 1877, he directed the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt. A prolific composer, Raff wrote 11 symphonies, concertos, operas, choral, chamber and piano music. Many of these works are now commercially recorded.

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Felix Mendelssohn (3 February 1809 – 4 November 1847) was a German composer, pianist, and conductor of the early Romantic period. A musical prodigy, he began composing at an early age. His compositions include symphonies, concertos, piano music, chamber music and oratorios. As a conductor, Mendelssohn played a key role in reviving interest in J.S. Bach's music, notably with his performance of the St. Matthew Passion in 1829. The Leipzig Conservatory (now Hochschule "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy") was founded by Mendelssohn in 1843. His sister Fanny Mendelssohn was also a talented composer.

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Formed in 1967, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble comprises principal players from the renowned Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (ASMF) orchestra. The ASMF, founded in 1958 by Sir Neville Marriner and now directed by Joshua Bell, is celebrated for its musical excellence and collaborative spirit. Led by Tomo Keller, the Chamber Ensemble was created to explore larger-scale chamber music with musicians who share a strong collaborative history. Performing in various groupings—from trios to octets—the ensemble tours extensively and has released over 30 albums.

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