Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) - Octet, Op. 20 - All-Stradivari instrument performance

Beare's All-Stradivari Gala Concert
Janine Jansen - violin
Quatuor Ébène
Alexander Sitkovetsky - violin
Timothy Ridout - viola
Kian Soltani - cello
Enjoy the second half of our all-Stradivari gala concert, the grand finale of our inaugural Beare's Chamber Music Festival in 2022. In this concert, through our uniquely trusted position as the world's foremost violin dealer, we brought together eight of Antonio Stradivari's masterly instruments for one performance.
These eight come together in Mendelssohn's beautiful Octet, in the expert hands of our current and past Beare's International Violin Society artists Janine Jansen, Alexander Sitkovetsky, Timothy Ridout, Kian Soltani and the fantastic Quatuor Ébène.
19 December 2022 at Cadogan Hall, London
Video production - Classical Media

[@jamessebastianliauw6959]

I. Allegro moderato e con fuoco 0:00 II. Andante ma non troppo 15:30 III. Scherzo: Allegro Leggierissimo 23:22 IV. Finale. Presto e giocoso 27:56

[@markodern789]

Never ever heard a performance of that piece so invigorating. The fact that it's also filmed makes it better.

[@mattg6262]

Kudos to the sound and video engineers on the capture and mic choice. It really is great. The performers were fabulous. I love watching Jansen the energy just fountains out of her when she plays. They all were wonderful.

[@M_SC]

Fountain isn’t a verb. But it should be. Good for you for inventing it

[@WilliamVyvyanMurray]

So interesting to hear two of the ten violas he made together!

[@joshuachew24]

I've always loved the Mendelssohn octet ...... this recording might just be my favourite! Incredible coordination between all musicians, and the fact that all instruments are Stradivari is just astounding :)

[@HerbertSteiner]

Had they been playing on cigar boxes, these masters would have made those instruments sing.

[@yudiyoungster9641]

These great musicians brought me to tears. What a beauty!

[@felixtiggeler341]

Ganz unabhängig von der "hardware"... Was für eine Spielfreude, Energie und Schwung. Die acht müssen viel Freude und Spass gehabt haben, danke an alle Beteiligten, dass wir daran teilhaben können!

[@FutureRN-25]

I love how they all communicate with their eyes, they are truly talking amongst themselves through their instruments! So insync 🤍

[@osvaldocapella3135]

Extraordinaria ejecución. El público no pudo contenerse y aplaudió ese priner movimiento!!! Histórica grabación!!! Aplausos desde Buenos Aires!!! ❤ 👏👏👏👏👏

[@marvieachanzar4674]

...Viewing my best, awesome, enthralling, connecting, spell-bounding and profoundly compelled to its grabbing one's focus on the midrange bloom only Amati can exude the heavenly bliss of a sound; so audiophilic - uplifts your soul. On bended knees, my"abyssmal" respect to these masterful string players. ,,, can"t ask for more ....

[@paultaylor6821]

What a pity Stradivarius himself can't hear this. Would he be astounded to know that 300 years later, players from all over the globe would be playing his instruments and that each one is worth more than a house!

[@knightsimperium4277]

He is more alive then you thought. When you hear close you can imagine his voice, characteristics in each note. Transcendenz in his pure form

[@joeweinberg3108]

what a tragedy that felix won’t hear this either!!!

[@M_SC]

@@knightsimperium4277that’s mumbo jumbo

[@knightsimperium4277]

​@@M_SCI m sorry for you that your brain capacity isn't enough for feeling through the intimate oscillation of the truth.

[@adammiller9029]

@@knightsimperium4277 ....that was a word salad.... Do you know what the word oscillation means? Like if you want to have deep metaphysical take, fine. But words do have meanings.

[@belmarmom]

The sound quality is absolutely amazing.

[@ninakons829]

Excellent expression,congratulations to the violinists.Thank you

[@lemenyves34]

Exceptionnel!

[@LobsngDmchoi]

Heavenly -- very sensitive and expressive intonation. Those unisoni before the recap the 1st movt--tres splendide! Among many other beauties...

[@sunnykim1570]

would be my favorite version of Mendelssohn octet! thank you for this splendid video

[@rainerseifert1967]

Was für eine perfekte Darbietung. Wow!!!!❤❤

[@shin-i-chikozima]

This Comfort is immeasurable an beyond description

[@claude2243]

Wonderful ! what a great way to start my day. So inspired and thankful

[@stonefireice6058]

Incredible and unique performance! Bravi Performers, Antonio Stradivari and Felix!

[@steveegallo3384]

BRAVI TUTTI......from Mexico City!

[@aaronjorgefridman5662]

Este octeto es otra "genialiidad de un genio", interpretada en esta ocación por músicos consagrados. Aplausos

[@davidrowe1004]

Excellent!

[@kelleyforeman]

This was excellent! Thank you!

[@steph2890]

thank u for the post :)

[@andreagriseri7656]

Felix e Fanny ringraziano sentitamente per questa meravigliosa esecuzione!

[@ClassicalRaritiesChannel]

ahhh now I regret it even more that I wasn't able to make it to Cadogan Hall that evening! Thanks so much for recording and uploading it though. 34 minutes of happiness

[@timothysavage4958]

Bravo!

[@luismoreniviolinista]

Bravo

[@newbaroque]

Amazing!!

[@Gabacarin]

I just had multiple eargasms

[@connorc7924]

II. Andante 15:30 III. Scherzo: Allegro Leggierissimo 23:22 IV. Presto 27:56

[@pauldeck4500]

Many warm compliments to the players and the priceless instruments -- all justified. Just don't forget that the individual who *wrote* this music was sixteen years old.

[@martian0303]

클래식 포에버

[@tedviolafire]

What were the specific instruments played, does anyone know? Also, were these instruments what the players normally play, or just for this concert. I’m pretty sure the 3rd violinist owns a Strad.

[@rorygallo5806]

Who’s the first cellist?

[@cc-c2847]

Raphaël Merlin, Quatuor Ebène ❤

[@IntegralKing]

$80M worth of instruments on stage, and just sitting on any random chairs / piano benches they could scrape together

[@tedviolafire]

I think it has something to do with each musician’s preference. More functional than decorative. Fancy wooden chairs are often noisy if you move a lot.

[@erickoliverwawrzkiewicz3402]

Chamber musicians often choose piano benches because you can adjust them. Cellists especially do this. I'm sure they each chose a chair or bench that was most suited to them and the backstage people took note and set it up for them. Also, I'm sure the benches and chairs are top notch.

[@warrenj3204]

Right? They really should be sitting on ornate, hand carved velvet chairs made by artisans to the royal courts of the 1700’s.

[@stonefireice6058]

What’s your point? These outstanding musicians are producing unbelievable sounds from the best instruments, no matter what they sit on. Stradivari and Amati are given to extra-ordinary musicians only, by the fund, holding/owning those priceless instruments.

[@gregmonks]

Too bad you couldn't get your hands on original Stradivari instruments that haven't been completely rebuilt and don't sound anything like the originals.

[@remifasolla5324]

Stradivari has never seen a steel string in his life, and he intended his instruments for the tension of gut strings. Playing a Stradivarius with steel strings is either a superstition or a fashion

[@greggoryrice7046]

If I never hear the Mendelssohn Octet again, it will be too soon. Vastly over-programmed warhorse that is more fun for the musicians to play than for audiences to listen to. Give it a rest, a long, long rest.