Schubert's Octet D803

[Brahmsian]

Edding Quartet/Northerlight - Phi label

I've sampled several recordings, and this one really speaks to me.  Lovely brisk performance. 57:35

Other really fine performances I sampled:

Isabelle Faust and others on Harmonia Mundi label - 60:55
Anima Eterna on Alpha label - 57:24
Mixed musicians on Alpha label (Desmons, Guerrier, Hardy, etc.) 58:04

[Brian]

Mixed musicians on Alpha label (Desmons, Guerrier, Hardy, etc.) 58:04

Is this the one paired with a piece by Raphael Merlin?

I've enjoyed basically every recording of the Octet I've heard, but don't know the work super well, and also it seems so genial and wonderful that I don't know if bad recordings are possible. Maybe they are 

In terms of judging on sound clips, I always check the beginning of the scherzo (third movement), to see if there is lively rhythmic energy and a nice balance among the woodwind players.

[Brahmsian]

Is this the one paired with a piece by Raphael Merlin?

I've enjoyed basically every recording of the Octet I've heard, but don't know the work super well, and also it seems so genial and wonderful that I don't know if bad recordings are possible. Maybe they are 

In terms of judging on sound clips, I always check the beginning of the scherzo (third movement), to see if there is lively rhythmic energy and a nice balance among the woodwind players.

Yes, it includes the Merlin piece. I was very close to choosing that one! 😁

All those I sampled were very lovely and are all on the lively side, to be sure!

[Florestan]

The Octet is amongst my favorite pieces of chamber music by Schubert, alongside the Arpeggione Sonata, the Trout Quintet, the Rosamunde String Quartet and the Violin Sonata D 574.

've enjoyed basically every recording of the Octet I've heard,

+ 1 hands down.

it seems so genial and wonderful that I don't know if bad recordings are possible. Maybe they are 

If there are, I've never listened to one.

Two of my (many) favorites are:

[DavidW]

Edding Quartet/Northerlight - Phi label

I clicked on the link ready to recommend this as my favorite recording... to find it done on the first post!

[Brahmsian]

I clicked on the link ready to recommend this as my favorite recording... to find it done on the first post!

Yes David. I had shivers listening to the samples at Presto Music.

*clicked add to cart*

[Holden]

A piece I've never heard yet I love so much of Schubert's chamber music. The Edding/Northernlight is playing now.

[Brahmsian]

A piece I've never heard yet I love so much of Schubert's chamber music. The Edding/Northernlight is playing now.

It's a piece that has grown on me over the years and has become a top five favourite of mine by Schubert.

It's a long piece and I feel a great performance needs to have a good lively pace, otherwise it can become a bit of a hot toddy before bed time.

[Jo498]

It's probably the best piece of its kind (larger mixed string/wind ensemble) in the literature and I like it but I still find it a bit lengthy. It's a feature and hard to avoid with two slowish movement and the overall large scale. I have not heard any of these recent ones mentioned so far. My favorite used to be Archibudelli/Mozzafiato on Sony Vivarte as I find that the old woodwinds bring a special coloring to the piece.