The Overture Ein Sommernachtstraum and the Octet for strings are among Mendelssohn's most genius. Keep in mind that he was just a teenager when he composed these classics. Obviously, the Octet belongs to chamber music, but it has the allures and dimensions of a thoroughbred symphony. Particularly the third part, the Scherzo, still manages to overwhelm, so cleverly affected is the balance between
… the fairy-like and the eerie. The Octet is a popular repertoire piece for the Henschel Quartett, for which this company often forges alliances with other string quartets (in this case with the Diogenes Quartett). The Henschel Quartett also plays Schubert's popular Trout Quintet. (HJ)more
