Mendelssohn: Octet Op. 20 (original version)

Description

FE108 String octet (4,2,2,0)

The manuscript of the original version of the Mendelssohn Octet is in the Library of Congress in Washington. It was completed in Berlin on 15th October 1825 when Mendelssohn was 16. Everybody thinks they know this extraordinary masterpiece written by the precocious teenager but, as this edition shows, they don’t. The version everybody knows is the revision undertaken before publication in 1830, which represents the thoughts of a mature 21 year old! Mendelssohn made numerous changes in his revision, cutting out some music completely. Some of these cut passages are most extraordinary even for the young Mendelssohn and deserve to escape the chop. In any case it seems important that people know what the amazing young genius actually created aged 16.

Full score £15

Set of parts £40