Mendelssohn: Octet, Op. 20; Quintet, Op. 87

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Ensemble gives a bracing, warmly expressive account of the Mendelssohn Octet. The playing is polished, the ensemble is tight, and the style and scope of the interpretation are truly symphonic, as Mendelssohn desired. The analog recording, from 1978, has a pleasing immediacy and freshness. --Ted Libbey

Mendelssohn: Octet, Op. 20; Quintet, Op. 87, Music, Denis Vigay, Roger Smith, Felix Mendelssohn, Academy Chamber Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble, Andrew McGee, Anthony Jenkins, Iona Brown, Malcolm Latchem, Roger Garland, Stephen Shingles, Chamber, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Octet for Eight String Instruments, Quintet for Five String Instruments

Mendelssohn: Octet; Quintets Nos. 1 & 2; Quartet No. 2
Average customer rating:

Precision and elegance, awsome quintet

Outstanding - Wonderful Scherzo and Presto in the Octet

Mendelsohn:Octet, Quintets, Quartet

Great value period performance with depth and commitment

Mendelssohn: Octet; Quintets Nos. 1 & 2; Quartet No. 2

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Op. 49 & Op. 66

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Telemann: The Six Paris Quartets

Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos

Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 1

ASIN: B00004TQQU
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

Str Qt No.2 in a, Op.13: I. Adagio - Allegro Vivace
Str Qt No.2 in a, Op.13: II. Adagio Non Lento
Str Qt No.2 in a, Op.13: III. Intermezzo: Allegretto Con Moto
Str Qt No.2 in a, Op.13: IV. Presto
Str Qnt No.2 in B flat, Op.87: I. Allegro Vivace
Str Qnt No.2 in B flat, Op.87: II. Andante Scherzando
Str Qnt No.2 in B flat, Op.87: III. Adagio E Lento
Str Qnt No.2 in B flat, Op.87: IV. Allegro Molto Vivace

Tracks:

Str Qnt No.1 in A, Op.18: I. Allegro Con Moto
Str Qnt No.1 in A, Op.18: II. Intermezzo: Andante Sostenuto
Str Qnt No.1 in A, Op.18: III. Scherzo: Allegro Di Molto
Str Qnt No.1 in A, Op.18: IV. Allegro Vivace
Oct in E flat, Op.20: I. Allegro Moderato Ma Con Fuoco
Oct in E flat, Op.20: II. Andante
Oct in E flat, Op.20: III. Scherzo
Oct in E flat, Op.20: IV. Presto

Customer Reviews:

Precision and elegance, awsome quintet.......2006-03-13

I agree with the other reviewer, the Scherzo from the Octet is wonderfull, there aren't many recordings out there with such high level of chamber playing.
I must also mention the L'Archibudelli recording of the Octet. Though not as clean, it is more dynamic (though this recording is certainly not lacking at all).

L'Archibudelli also recorded the quintet, but I like this recording more.
The strength of L'Archibudelli is also it's weakness, they are great soloists on the expense of chamber work.

As I recommended on the L'Archibudelli review, I would get both recordings since both excell in different aspects.
As for the Quintet, I feel that this recording is the better of the two.

Outstanding - Wonderful Scherzo and Presto in the Octet.......2005-12-30

Another reviewer, Sphaernklang, has written a thoughtful, detailed, and scholarly review of this oustanding 2-CD set. My own review is meant only to supplement his. First, I absolutely agree with his comments about the range of tone color and the clearly audible separate parts. The musicians play these pieces seamlessly, as a unit, while also making clear the different parts played by each instrument.

I have not yet heard L'Archibudelli's version of these compositions, which the other reviewer contrasts with Hausmusik in describing them as "technically brilliant". However, I have listened to these two Hausmusik CD's many times and find that this group is also technically brilliant, while also performing the music with depth, charm, and soul. All of the lyrical beauty of the adagio and andante passages is captured in these recordings. That being said, nowhere is Hausmusik's brilliance more impressive than in their exuberant glowing performance of the Octet, which, as the fourth and final selection on this 2 CD set, may be considered in a way as Hausmusik's finale.

The Octet is performed with consummate mastery, with the Scherzo and Presto having a wonderful energy. The electrifying performance of these last two movements radiates with the musicians' enthusiasm and their love for the music. Amidst the unending deluge of adagio compilation CDs that have been released, there are occasionally a few compilations of energetic classical music. If EMI decides to release this kind of compilation, Hausmusik's outstanding performance of the Octet's last two movements will hopefully be included.

The sound quality of these digital recordings is excellent.

The CD instert has an interesting short essay in English, translated into German, and a different short essay in French that is also well-written and informative.

Mendelsohn:Octet, Quintets, Quartet.......2005-09-03

This is a first-rate CD with excellent performers and great recording values!

Great value period performance with depth and commitment.......2001-06-11

I bought this set after a slight disappointment with L'Archibudelli's disc of the quintets. Not only is this one cheaper, it has twice as much music and I prefer the performances. I listened to the A major quintet in both versions and the obvious difference is in the pitch and the overall sound. Hausmusik (H) is lower in pitch and the sound is richer, warmer, with less high frequencies, while the modern pitch that L'Archibudelli (A) use results in a brilliant, highly polished sound, almost as if there were four violins rather than two and two violas.

There are two main effects on the music: first, when there are several lines at once in the music it is difficult to disentangle them in A, the upper instruments tend to get in each other's way. In H the inner parts are much more clearly audible because of the distinctive darker colour of the violas and the less assertively bright violin sound. This is particularly noticeable in the middle of the 1st movement where violas have important low-placed figures while the violins have the main melody; also at one point in the last movement, you can even hear a humble viola accompaniment if you listen carefully to H, but it doesn't get a chance in A.

Second, the range of tone colour in H is much greater, since the viola sound is clearly different from the violins. The best example is at the beginning of the slow movement: there is a particular hushed, dark, intimate quality to H which is lacking in the other performance. This is one place where the composer's life really did influence the music - the movement was a tribute to a friend who had recently died, so a dark elegaic quality is appropriate. Also, in the whole piece in fact, H has more contrast between loud and soft.

Other aspects also favoured this performance. The leader of A, while throwing off semiquavers with the best of them, is somewhat at a loss in sustaining long melodic lines, and suffers at times from a wobbly bow when trying to play softly. In the slow movement marked "sostenuto", the main melody is anything but, being cut into bar-long pieces by the "expressive" phrasing. H is not ideal in this either, but does give a sense of a continuous melody. At one point in the last movement a new theme in long notes comes in on the first violin and is passed to the other instruments. All the players in A and H play it legato - except the leader of A, who for some reason plays the crucial first entry in a light, detached way, as if it was just another accompanying part, or even not noticing that it's an important new theme! Musically it makes little sense, because the other instruments then seem to contradict the first violin rather than replying to or imitating it.

Most of the tempos were quite similar, but the 3rd movement scherzo is quicker in H, which along with the darker tone quality creates more character in the music, an hushed, frantic, almost conspiratorial fugue which foreshadows other Mendelssohn scherzos. In comparison A sounds like a counterpoint exercise.

Customer Reviews:

Uneven quality but great value.......2007-04-30

Brilliant Classics has found a niche with their extremely low-price multi-disc collections of the work of a single composer or performer. The Bach, Mozart and Chopin Complete Editions are legitimately considered to be artistic and economical triumphs. But the Masterworks series are more uneven. Currently available from Amazon France at about a buck per CD, they're still a bargain for those interested in quickly building a music library. But it's worth keeping a few things in mind. Unlike the Bach and Mozart Editions, these are not always historically informed performances. In this Mendelssohn set, the Hanover Band puts in a cameo (in Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage), but most of the ensembles use modern instruments, techniques and proportions. This doesn't always work out, as in the case of the ponderously heavy recordings of the String Symphonies by an apparently full complement of Gewandhausorchester Leipzig strings (Mendelssohn likely wrote these early works for a much smaller group). The caliber of the performances varies too, ranging from good to poor, and from marquis musicians such as Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau to a few Dutch who-dats. The chamber musicians generally acquit themselves well (though the Octet recording is marred by an engineering flaw in the last movement, distortion, at least on my copy). But the symphonies suffer from some substandard performances, such as the Italian Symphony's live recording with not only audience noise but also ensemble flaws such as a distracting clarinet squeak in the first movement's recapitulation. Another strike is the lack of program notes. Brilliant's Complete Editions provide a booklet or CD-ROM with program notes, but here you'll need to do your own research.

Despite these shortcomings, this set is still good value (at least at Amazon France's current price of 31 Euros). And it's a fine way to become acquainted with Mendelssohn's music.

A superb collection of Mendelssohn.......2007-03-24

Let me preface this by saying that most of these works were not new to me - I own many other Mendelssohn CDs and have enjoyed his compositions for some time now. Also, this set is available much cheaper elsewhere, particularly from European retailers.
The symphonies are well-performed. 'Reformation' is an inspired live recording. The 12 string symphonies, written in Mendelssohn's youth, are also included. The concertos are exceptional - the violin concerto is as good as you'll find anywhere. The oratorios Elijah and Paulus are included, as well as the complete chamber works and a diverse assortment of choral works. The last few discs include the Lied ohne worte, the epic organ sonatas, and excellent renditions of A Midsummer Night's Dream and Fingal's Cave. While there are a few sketchy performances in the choral and chamber works, the performances and recordings are generally very solid, and the body of work couldn't be better.

Mendelssohn: Octet, Op. 20; Quintet, Op. 87

Average customer rating:

A fitting remembrance of a sterling musician and violinist
An older recording, still sounds great
as a cello player , i think it's a great cd .

Mendelssohn: Octet, Op. 20; Quintet, Op. 87

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 1
Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 2
Mendelssohn: String Quartets, Vol. 3
Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Op. 49 & Op. 66
Brahms: Clarinet Sonata In E Flat/Clarinet Sonata In F/Schumann: Fantasiestücke,Op.73

ASIN: B0000040Z0
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Octet In E Flat, Op. 20: Allegro moderato, ma con fuoco
Octet In E Flat, Op. 20: Andante
Octet In E Flat, Op. 20: Scherzo (Allegro leggierissimo)
Octet In E Flat, Op. 20: Presto
Quintet In B Flat, Op. 87: Allegro vivace
Quintet In B Flat, Op. 87: Andante scherzando
Quintet In B Flat, Op. 87: Adagio e lento
Quintet In B Flat, Op. 87: Allegro molto vivace

Amazon.com essential recording

The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Ensemble gives a bracing, warmly expressive account of the Mendelssohn Octet. The playing is polished, the ensemble is tight, and the style and scope of the interpretation are truly symphonic, as Mendelssohn desired. The analog recording, from 1978, has a pleasing immediacy and freshness. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

A fitting remembrance of a sterling musician and violinist.......2004-06-22

I have listened to this recording for years (I had it on vinyl, back in the old days). IMO it is the definitive recording of the Octet.
Given Ms. Brown's recent (6/10/2004) death to cancer, if you are on the fence about purchasing this recording, do it now, while it is still in print. I, for one, will never be without my copy of this performance. It is thrilling, full of energy and drive, but with lovely and touching moments, as well.

An older recording, still sounds great.......2003-08-24

This recording dates from 1978,but the quality of sound is very good. Mendelssohn's octet is for strings, and along with his 'Overture To A Midsummer Night's Dream', was written when he was a teenager. It is a work full of melody and freshness, a basic part of chamber music repertoire.

The performance is excellent, and a bonus of a string quintett is included. Recommended!

as a cello player , i think it's a great cd ........1999-07-20

as a cello player i think it's a great cd

Average customer rating:

Most exciting piece written in the 19th century

Mendelssohn: Octet/Quintet

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Octect In E Flat, Op 20: I. Allegro moderato ma con fuoco
Octect In E Flat, Op 20: II. Andante
Octect In E Flat, Op 20: III. Scherzo -- Allegro leggierissimo
Octect In E Flat, Op 20: IV. Presto
Quintet No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 87: I. Allegro vivace
Quintet No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 87: II. Andante scherzando
Quintet No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 87: III. Adagio e lento
Quintet No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 87: IV. Allegro molto vivace

Customer Reviews:

Most exciting piece written in the 19th century.......2000-01-25

The Octet is a stunning and exciting piece, filled with melodies I can't get out of my head. The Quintet is that great musical surprise -- much like the piece you know, but totally new and original. Primavera has put together a clear and wide-open recording, putting the music into a crystalline musical space. I have to admit, there are a small number of better performances out there, on forgotten vinyl. However, this is the CD that makes your pedal foot push unconsciously toward the floor as you shoot down the highway with a big smile on your face.

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