Schubert’s Octet

Hear a select ensemble of OSL members perform one of the most beloved works in the chamber music repertoire, Schubert’s Octet in F Major.

In 1824, Franz Schubert accepted a commission to write a chamber work modeled on Beethoven’s Septet in E-flat Major, a piece so popular that it was still frequently performed more than two decades after its publication. The commission came from Count Ferdinand Troyer, a skilled amateur clarinetist and steward to Archduke Rudolf of Austria.

Schubert expanded Beethoven’s original instrumentation—clarinet, horn, bassoon, violin, viola, cello, and double bass—by adding a second violin, making the Octet his largest chamber work. Its six movements blend classical elements with Schubert’s unique emotional depth. The piece opens with a dramatic Allegro followed by a lively scherzo, placed unusually as the second movement. The heart of the work lies in the Adagio, featuring expressive clarinet passages tailored for Troyer. A theme-and-variations movement and an energetic finale round out this joyful, yet occasionally introspective, masterpiece.

Schubert was a lifelong admirer of Beethoven, having been introduced to his music as a student, serving as a torchbearer at Beethoven’s funeral, and even requesting to be buried next to him. The Octet stands as a testament to Schubert’s reverence for his hero, while also showcasing his own distinct voice.