Sky Island Quartet will perform with the Allante String Quartet. Together we will bring to life the rarely heard work of Mendelssohn – String Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20, MWV R 20. This work is not heard very often in person because it is often difficult to get two string quartets together to play it! Don’t miss this rare opportunity.
Have you recently been to a Candelight concert and would like more chamber music in your life? This is the concert to come to!
In the mean-time, please check out our other upcoming events!
Felix Mendelssohn composed his Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20 in 1825, at just 16 years old, showcasing his exceptional talent and early mastery of composition. Written as a birthday gift for his violin teacher Eduard Rietz, the piece is scored for double string quartet, a unique and ambitious arrangement for the time. By treating all eight instruments as equal participants, Mendelssohn created a rich, symphonic texture that revolutionized chamber music. Notably, the Octet features four movements, blending youthful exuberance with profound sophistication, which is characteristic of Mendelssohn’s early style.
The famous scherzo, inspired by Goethe’s Faust, is particularly remarkable. With its light, ethereal character, it evokes a sense of magic and whimsy that would later be perfected in Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream Scherzo. This scherzo not only highlights Mendelssohn’s signature lightness but also his ability to create vivid, enchanting imagery through music.
Moreover, the Octet is a groundbreaking work that expanded the boundaries of chamber music, combining the intimacy of the genre with the grandeur of symphonic composition. Its innovation, lyrical beauty, and dynamic energy have ensured its place as a cornerstone of the chamber repertoire. Ultimately, the Octet marks a significant milestone in Mendelssohn’s early career, demonstrating both his prodigious talent and the evolving nature of Romantic music.
Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) was a German composer, pianist, and conductor. He quickly gained fame for works like the Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream and his revival of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. In his compositions, such as the Italian Symphony and the oratorio Elijah, Mendelssohn skillfully blended classical form with Romantic lyricism.
As conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Mendelssohn not only shaped concert practices but also elevated the orchestra’s reputation. Despite facing persistent anti-Semitic prejudice, he continued to thrive in his career, earning international acclaim.
However, Mendelssohn’s life was marked by personal sorrow. He was deeply affected by the death of his sister, Fanny, which led to a rapid decline in his health. Tragically, he passed away at 38. Nevertheless, his music endures, and it continues to captivate listeners. Mendelssohn’s works offer a remarkable balance of technical mastery and emotional depth, making him one of the most influential composers of the Romantic era.