Jean Francaix | Octet

Recorded at a concert at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo.
Maren Ohm Ballested, violin
Kasper Helmersson, violin
Nanna Ikutomi Sørli, viola
Iver Bunkholt, cello
Sverker Rundqvist, double bass
Christopher Amundsen, horn
Ådne Veiteberg Stålsett, bassoon
Christine Bårreng Hansn, clarinet

[@mrewan6221]

What an amazing piece! The three most versatile winds (and also with the largest range). Eight players well in control of their instruments. Françaix has some lovely humourous moments: the kooky wind scales in 3rd movement, just after the wind trio, and the hilarious bassoon offbeats near the beginning of movement 4. The loud stopped notes on horn were excellent, and the very quiet viola can sound like a very distant trumpet. Schnittker did this too.
But most of all, how much everyone was enjoying playing; the cellist was especially happy, and I thought the horn player was going to start laughing. That's what good music should do.