Octet (Schubert)

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The octet in F major , D  803, by Franz Schubert is one of the most popular chamber music works for a mixed line-up of strings and winds .

Emergence

From around 1817 Franz Schubert went through a considerable creative crisis due to the intensive examination of the work of Ludwig van Beethoven , whose genius he believed he could not overcome. Numerous unfinished works from this period such as the string quartet movement in C minor and the symphony in B minor testify to this writing paralysis. In 1824 Schubert seems to have overcome the crisis, he worked intensively on several chamber music works.

The octet was commissioned that year by Count Ferdinand Troyer , who was the court master of Archduke Rudolf of Austria-Tuscany and an excellent clarinetist , and according to Schubert's personal note, it was completed on March 1, 1824. He himself wrote in a letter:

"I really want to pave the way to the great symphony in this way"

which is very likely to be understood as an allusion to the Great C major Symphony composed two years later .

The work

First page of the autograph

In many ways the octet is strongly based on the Beethoven septet , but Schubert added small extensions in almost every respect. Here, too, one can determine how his inferiority complexes have been overcome by treating Beethoven's concept with respect. Schubert also follows the divertimento tone that dominates Beethoven in his middle movements , but in the corner movements and in the Adagio the typical dramatic and inspired music can be heard that can also be found in the other chamber music works from this phase.

occupation

Clarinet , bassoon , horn , two  violins , viola , cello , double bass

The composer added a second violin to the Beethoven line-up, which considerably improves the dynamic balance between strings and winds and gives the strings a more “ orchestral ” sound.

sentences

The sequence of movements is also strictly based on the model of the Beethoven septet, with the small exception that the minuet and the scherzo are played in swapped places:

  1. Adagio - Allegro - Più allegro
  2. adagio
  3. (Scherzo) Allegro vivace - Trio
  4. Andante - Variations I - VII - Più lento
  5. Menuetto. Allegretto Trio
  6. Andante molto - Allegro - Andante molto - Allegro molto

reception

The work was premiered in a private concert in 1824, the first public performance did not take place until 1827 in the Wiener Musikverein and was criticized by the critics mainly because of the enormous length (approx. 50 minutes). In fact, even two sets were in the first edition, which was not published until 1853 omitted, the first complete edition took place only in 1872. At the latest at this time so must have been clear that the Schubert octet of the most important chamber works of the 19th century are expected got to.

Publications

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