Spohr: Nonet in F major, Op. 31

Recording location: Sofiensaal, Vienna, Austria, March 1959 (Octet), May 1966 (Double Quartet, Nonet), October 1969 (Piano Quintet)

This recording forms part of a series of 10 reissues celebrating the glorious Decca recordings from the 1950s-1970s of the Wiener Oktett (Vienna Octet), made up of key principals from the Wiener Philharmoniker and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

Eclipsed now by the many composers of the first half of the 19th century who surrounded him, in his time Louis Spohr was famed throughout the Classical music world. Tall and handsome, he was soon recognised as the best German violinist of the era. Of the enormous amount of music that Spohr wrote, only some of the chamber music is revived today. Much of it is innovative, as was the gesture of Decca and the Wiener Oktett to record some of it, and their stereo recordings are here collectively issued. Highly desirable by collectors as well as lovers of chamber music, the recording of the Double Quartet in particular, was hailed as one of the best examples of Viennese string playing. Together with the Piano Quintet and Nonet, it makes its first international appearance on CD.

Distinguished commentator Tully Potter provides enrichment aplenty in his notes, with a discussion of Spohr’s colourful life as well as of the music and the performers.

“a splendid performance of the work” (Nonet) Gramophone

“The players sound as if they know [the Spohr Octet] inside out; the interpretation has matured, gaining in precision and also in insouciance” Gramophone

Camerata Freden specialise in this repertoire. Unlike most ensembles that are formed for a brief time to give the rare performance of this music they are an ensemble who play together everyday of the year, giving their performances a uniquely polished sound. These are rarely heard works and these performances are set to become the benchmark by which all others are judged.

In Spohr’s Nonet, four string Players and five wind players toss motivic fragments at each other from all sides. The TACET Real Surround Sound is very effective for a work such as this; a regular “360 degree festival!”

This set is DVD Audio-only and WILL NOT play on an ordinary CD player.

In this recording Ramée present two pieces of early romantic music for wind ensemble. Spohr's nonet of 1813 is the first written for this particular combination of instruments and makes conscious use of the distinctive qualities and idiosyncrasies of each.

Onslow's nonet (recorded for the first time on historical instruments) is startling from the very first bar! The force and volume of his opening declamation, the virtuosity of the violin's first flourishes, and the enormous range in each of the parts give the piece a distinctly 'modern' feel. By comparison with Spohr's nonet this piece is the child of a different Zeitgeist.