The Scharoun Ensemble Berlin owes its existence to Franz Schubert’s Octet: forty years ago, members of the Berliner Philharmoniker founded this formation to perform this work with its beguiling melodies and dance-like charm. So Schubert’s Octet could not be left out of this anniversary concert – nor could the other composers on the programme, with whom the ensemble has developed a close relationship. There is also a special anniversary serenade for the ensemble: the world premiere of Brett Dean’s Prayer for octet and soprano. The singer is Sarah Aristidou.
Scharoun Ensemble Berlin
Christophe Horák violin
Rachel Schmidt violin
Micha Afkham viola
Claudio Bohórquez cello
Peter Riegelbauer double bass
Alexander Bader clarinet
Markus Weidmann bassoon
Stefan de Leval Jezierski french horn
Wolfram Brandl violin
Sarah Aristidou soprano
Anniversary Concert: 40 Years Scharoun Ensemble
Hans Werner Henze
Quattro Fantasie (Octet Movements from Kammermusik 1958 and Adagio 1963)
David Philip Hefti
New Work for Octet (German Premiere)
Brett Dean
Elizabeth's Prayer (Première) commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation
Wolfram Brandl violin, Sarah Aristidou soprano
Franz Schubert
Octet in F major, D 803
