Can anyone recommend some good String Octet pieces?

DonPasquito · 4 months

I'm not aware of much else in the realm of octets, but there are a number of good string sextets/septets:

Schoenberg: Verklaerte Nacht
Brahms: Sextet #1 in B-flat Op. 18
Brahms: Sextet #2 in G Op. 36
R. Strauss: Prelude to the opera Capriccio (string sextet)
R. Strauss: Metamorphosen (there is a popular arrangement for string septet by Rudolf Leopold)

lamby · 4 months

I've played the Bargiel and Schostokovich octets but none of them light a candle to the Mendelssohn. The two Brahms sextets might be up your street though.

magneticB · 4 months

Not sure about Octet but check out a great Septet by Simeon ten Holt called Palimpsest. It's kind of post minimal romantic. You'll have to Google a torrent (or buy it) as it's not on Youtube, well worth it though.

vlatheimpaler · 4 months

Schubert Octet is great, but it's not a string octet like the Mendelssohn so it may not be what you're looking for. I believe it's for two violins, viola, cello, bass, horn, bassoon, clarinet.

Another piece for larger ensemble that I've always wanted to play, but just never had the right opportunity, is the Mendelssohn sextet. Violin, two violas, cello, bass, and piano. I love this piece.

Rooster_Ties · 4 months

Don't overlook string-orchestra arrangements of string quartets.

For instance, I understand that just next month (Feb-2012), Naxos has a disc of arrangements coming out, of both of Edvard Grieg's string quartets (2nd one is unfinished) -- both for string orchestra. (I can't wait!)

There are others as well, quartets by Beethoven and Shostakovich, to mention but two -- I'm sure other folks here know of more.

cd121 · 3 months

Shostakovich and Mendelssohn are the two that I am most familiar with.

GRonUT · 14 days

if you want string octets, Enescu, Gade and Raff write lovely octets.

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