Octet (Mendelssohn)

Octet in E-flat major
by Felix Mendelssohn
First page of the autograph manuscript
KeyE-flat major
Opus20
Composed1825 (1825)
DedicationEduard Ritz
Performed30 January 1836 (1836-01-30)
Durationabout 30 minutes
Movementsfour
Scoringdouble string quartet (4 violins, 2 violas, 2 celli)

The String Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20, MWV R 20, was written by the 16-year-old Felix Mendelssohn during the fall of 1825 and completed on October 15.[1] Written for four violins, two violas, and two cellos, this work created a new chamber music genre. Conrad Wilson summarizes much of its reception ever since: "Its youthful verve, brilliance and perfection make it one of the miracles of nineteenth-century music."[2] This was one of the first works of Mendelssohn to be very well received.[3]

  1. ^ Todd, R. Larry (2003). Mendelssohn : a life in music. Library Genesis. Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-511043-2.
  2. ^ "Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20 - Felix Mendelssohn". www.earsense.org. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  3. ^ "Felix Mendelssohn: Octet in E-flat major, op. 20, for strings (1825)". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2021-04-28.