The Octet: Two Different Perspectives
Enescu was 19 when he composed his String Octet in C major. The young composer cleverly reconciles passion and structure in this demanding compositional form.
Milhaud’s Octet, Op. 291, answers the question: “Can you create an octet by having two string quartets perform simultaneously?” His String Quartets Nos. 14 and 15 were written with either separate or simultaneous performances in mind—a playful experiment resulting in a surprisingly cohesive whole.
Playlist:
George Enescu – String Octet in C major, Op. 7. Quatuor Ébène, Belcea Quartet
Darius Milhaud – Octuor à cordes, Op. 291. Quatuor Bernède, Quatuor Parrenin
