Enescu & Mendelssohn: Octets - Mendelssohn & Enescu Octets - Import CD

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Enescu & Mendelssohn: Octets

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The Ebène Quartet and the Belcher Quartet are considered alongside each other as the world's greatest string quartet. This joint recording, the result of many years of friendship and touring together, is a miraculous masterpiece of octet music bequeathed by these two genius composers! Based on the ironclad relationship of trust that the Ebène Quartet and the Belcher Quartet have built up over their 10 years of collaboration, the quartet will take on a rare masterpiece of chamber music by an eight-piece ensemble--the Octet by Mendelssohn and Enescu, two geniuses who wrote the Octet while still in their teens. Mendelssohn and Enescu, two geniuses who wrote octets in their teens. Mendelssohn's "Octet for Strings in E-flat Major," composed in 1825 by a 16-year-old prodigy to celebrate the birthday of his violin teacher, is a masterpiece of symphonic conception and astonishing perfection. In this performance, Pierre Colombe, first violinist of the Ebène Quartet, leads the ensemble brilliantly. Opposite is Jorge Enescu's "String Octet in C major," an ambitious work written in Paris in 1900 at the age of 18 that passionately combines the musical traditions of Vienna, Germany, and France with the spirit of folk music from his native Romania. Here, the ensemble is led passionately by Corina Belcha, founder of the Belcha Quartet and a native of Romania, like Enescu. The two octets, which have been refined through world tours, are no longer "two groups," but rather a single living organism that has created an overwhelming sense of unity and an ensemble of a higher dimension. The media acclaim speaks volumes about how electrifying the performance was. The word "spectacular casting" has never been more apt than on this night. The two renowned groups combined their skills beautifully, and it was clear that they truly enjoyed playing together. Their powerful, passionate performance had many in the audience on their feet even before intermission." (Strad Magazine) The final movement was an astonishing surge of sound, passion seeming to surge from every pore of the body. Bows were used with maddening force, and moments of pure euphoria ensued. It was a thrilling conclusion." (Bachtrack Magazine) "The power of the individual virtuosity sparks a powerful performance, and Enescu shines through with a strong sense of unity and lustrous craftsmanship. Throughout, the entire performance was brimming with a vibrant, overwhelming density and energy, a masterful performance that allowed the audience to fully appreciate the work's charms." (Mainichi Classical Navi) This is truly an octet performance of the highest caliber of our time, created by two prestigious quartets that have truly come together as one. This is a historic release that will set a new milestone in the history of chamber music. We hope you will experience this frenzy with your own ears. Warner Music Japan