Georges Enescu

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Here's a work that I am sure some fellow forum members know well - but this was my first encounter with the Enescu Octet here;



What a piece!  And all the more remarkable given that Enescu was in his teens when he wrote this.  Such confidence in the writing and bravura handling of the instruments and the form.  For 1900 the harmony is remarkably free and forward-thinking.  I'm not sue if I can think of a comparable work written at that time.  Excellent performance (the Respighi is interesting too but more explicitly a student work) although the engineering is a bit too up front and fatiguing given the pressure-cooker nature of the music......

Of course, this is an early Enescu work, but shows incredible promise from onset. I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope this leads you to discover more of his other works, especially the late works, which are absolutely worth your time. Enescu is much like his teacher in Fauré in that the earlier works show much optimism and a brightness to them, but as the composer ages and time wears on, the music becomes more complex, multi-hued and emotionally introspective. I've always likened Enescu's music to that of music found in a forest village that's been ravaged by some shadow-ladened supernatural force. Haunting, eerie but so beautiful in its own unique way.

I don't know that recording of the Octet, but I highly recommend any of these recordings:

[Roasted Swan]

Of course, this is an early Enescu work, but shows incredible promise from onset. I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope this leads you to discover more of his other works, especially the late works, which are absolutely worth your time. Enescu is much like his teacher in Fauré in that the earlier works show much optimism and a brightness to them, but as the composer ages and time wears on, the music becomes more complex, multi-hued and emotionally introspective. I've always likened Enescu's music to that of music found in a forest village that's been ravaged by some shadow-ladened supernatural force. Haunting, eerie but so beautiful in its own unique way.

I don't know that recording of the Octet, but I highly recommend any of these recordings:

Those are stellar/all-star line-ups!

[brewski]

Available through the weekend, last night's Minnesota Orchestra broadcast with conductor Cristian Măcelaru in a great performance of Enescu's Symphony No. 1, which I'd never heard. Excellent Jolivet Bassoon Concerto, too.

[kyjo]

Here's a work that I am sure some fellow forum members know well - but this was my first encounter with the Enescu Octet here;



What a piece!  And all the more remarkable given that Enescu was in his teens when he wrote this.  Such confidence in the writing and bravura handling of the instruments and the form.  For 1900 the harmony is remarkably free and forward-thinking.  I'm not sue if I can think of a comparable work written at that time.  Excellent performance (the Respighi is interesting too but more explicitly a student work) although the engineering is a bit too up front and fatiguing given the pressure-cooker nature of the music......

Indeed, it's a stunning work and one of the most accomplished by a teenage composer that I know! You're right that it's quite ahead of its time for 1900, especially the vicious, harmonically spiky second movement, memorably marked Très fougueux (fiery). It's definitely on my bucket list of chamber pieces I hope to perform someday! Here's an excellent live performance featuring Janine Jansen and co.: https://youtu.be/_fQaUYHz1z0?si=RCWvj8MOt9VeN47L

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Indeed, it's a stunning work and one of the most accomplished by a teenage composer that I know! You're right that it's quite ahead of its time for 1900, especially the vicious, harmonically spiky second movement, memorably marked Très fougueux (fiery). It's definitely on my bucket list of chamber pieces I hope to perform someday! Here's an excellent live performance featuring Janine Jansen and co.: https://youtu.be/_fQaUYHz1z0?si=RCWvj8MOt9VeN47L

Given you're a cellist, I would definitely take a look into Enescu's 2nd Cello Sonata. A haunting piece and one of my favorites.

[brewski]

Here's a work that I am sure some fellow forum members know well - but this was my first encounter with the Enescu Octet here;



What a piece!  And all the more remarkable given that Enescu was in his teens when he wrote this.  Such confidence in the writing and bravura handling of the instruments and the form.  For 1900 the harmony is remarkably free and forward-thinking.  I'm not sue if I can think of a comparable work written at that time.  Excellent performance (the Respighi is interesting too but more explicitly a student work) although the engineering is a bit too up front and fatiguing given the pressure-cooker nature of the music......

Indeed, it's a stunning work and one of the most accomplished by a teenage composer that I know! You're right that it's quite ahead of its time for 1900, especially the vicious, harmonically spiky second movement, memorably marked Très fougueux (fiery). It's definitely on my bucket list of chamber pieces I hope to perform someday! Here's an excellent live performance featuring Janine Jansen and co.: https://youtu.be/_fQaUYHz1z0?si=RCWvj8MOt9VeN47L

Totally agree with these comments. Last year I heard it live, along with the Mendelssohn Octet, and as much as I adore that piece, it was good to put the Enescu last, which somehow seemed even more monumental.

Haven't heard the Roctet recording, nor the Jansen — I see the latter was just posted in January — but they both look great.

[Iota]

Totally agree with these comments. Last year I heard it live, along with the Mendelssohn Octet, and as much as I adore that piece, it was good to put the Enescu last, which somehow seemed even more monumental.

Haven't heard the Roctet recording, nor the Jansen — I see the latter was just posted in January — but they both look great.

Straight on my to listen to list!