Oktett

Schubert's Octet in F major, D 803, is considered one of the greatest achievements in chamber music – a comprehensive, symphonic vision condensed into eight voices. For the Scharoun Ensemble Berlin, this masterwork forms the core of their artistic identity. The ensemble, founded in 1983 by members of the Berliner Philharmoniker, is named after Hans Scharoun, the architect of the Berliner Philharmonie, whose Kammermusiksaal has been their musical home since their very first public performance – and also the location of this recording. Shaped by decades of deep familiarity, the Octet reveals Schubert's complete emotional world: joy and exuberance, tenderness and nostalgia, fear and resistance, all unfolding in what violinist Rachel Schmidt calls "a glorious hour of music" that reflects a whole lifetime. This new recording marks an important moment in the history of the ensemble. After performing the Octet almost 500 times and recording it once before, the Scharoun Ensemble now returns to its signature work to capture a new generation of players, with founder and contrabassist Peter Riegelbauer. The performance, recorded in the chamber music hall of the Philharmonie, combines interpretive maturity with renewed freshness, allowing Schubert's extraordinary palette of colors and dramatic depth to come fully into their own. With its intimate connection to place, tradition, and living musical continuity, this recording offers a definitive and deeply personal rendition of one of the most beloved works in the chamber music repertoire.