Played by principals of the BBC Symphony Orchestra

Schubert's Octet
played by the principals of the BBC Symphony Orchestra Paul Beard (violin) Thomas Peatfield (violin) Eric Bray (viola) Ambrose Gauntlett (cello) Eugene Cruft Frederick Thurston (double-bass) (clarinet) Aubrey Brain (horn) Archie Camden (bassoon)
The performance introduced by Compton Mackenzie

The principals of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, although their activities are largely concerned with orchestral music, are all first-rate soloists, masters of their instruments.
Schubert's Octet was written in 1824 for an amateur clarinettist, Count Ferdinand von Troyer. chief officer of the household to the Archduke Rudolph. who was Beethoven's patron It consists of six movements in the style of the old divertimenti; with the exception of the first and last movements which are laid out in full sonata form. The spirit of the music is a peculiar amalgam of the composer's earlier light-hearted style and later romanticism.
The first movement opens with a slow introduction rather dramatic in character, the theme being terse, strongly accented, and treated to continual dynamic alterations. The melodious Allegro is easy to follow. The second movement is slow with a beautiful melody for the clarinet. which plays a leading part throughout-a graceful tribute to the Count.
The third movement is a deft and brilliant Scherzo. The fourth is in the form of a Theme and Variations-the simple and easily remembered folk-like tune extends over eight bars, and is first announced by the first violin, which repeats it again with the clarinet playing an octave lower. The seven variations that follow depend not so much on any transformation of the theme, but rather on a process of elaboration of rhythm and ornament and variety of tone colour. Towards the end of the sixth variation Schubert gives us one of those delicious modulations with which he so frequently and unexpectedly entertains us.
The fifth movement is an exquisite Minuetto that is unforgettable for melodic charm and delicacy of workmanship, and the sixth is a stirring and rather powerful quick movement with a slow introduction similar in style to that of the first movement, but made to appear even more dramatic by reason of the continuous tremolos on the strings. (Ralph Hill)
*The Starred Programme at 9.30 p.m.*