Consortium Classicum - Schubert: Octet, D. 803 & Nonet, D. 79 (2001)

Dieter Klöcker leads his Consortium Classicum in a lovely, lively performance of Schubert's Octet, one that gives the work's poignant moments their due, while scrimping not a bit on the uninhibited joy inherent in so much of the music. Klöcker himself is the focal point of these good spirits, keeping an upbeat tone even in the long Adagio and Andante movements, while sounding ebullient in the impetuous first movement and the rapidly dancing third. The finale's dark opening is suitably dramatic, but not so terrifying as the Lockenhaus performance with Gidon Kremer on Deutsche Grammophon. That is another fine reading, though at times the musicians exude an overly serious air. No such problem in Klöcker's recording, which was originally made by EMI; and though it tends to be a bit over-bright, it has a freer, more open sound than the DG production. An added bonus is Schubert's Nonet, entitled "Franz Schubert's Burial Celebration", composed when he was but 16. This somber and surprisingly mature sounding funeral march makes you wonder if Schubert knew, even at that young age, his time here was short.