Octet (Mendelssohn)

Octet in E-flat major
Octet in E-flat major
by Felix Mendelssohn
	First page of the autograph manuscript
Key	E-flat major
Opus	20
Composed	1825
Dedication	Eduard Ritz
Performed	30 January 1836
Duration	about 30 minutes
Movements	four
Scoring	double string quartet (4 violins, 2 violas, 2 celli)

The String Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20, MWV R 20, was written by the 16-year-old Felix Mendelssohn during the fall of 1825 and completed on October 15.^[1] Written for four violins, two violas, and two cellos, this work created a new chamber music genre. Conrad Wilson summarizes much of its reception ever since: "Its youthful verve, brilliance and perfection make it one of the miracles of nineteenth-century music."^[2] This was one of the first works of Mendelssohn to be very well received.^[3]

^ Todd, R. Larry (2003). Mendelssohn : a life in music. Library Genesis. Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-511043-2.
^ "Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20 - Felix Mendelssohn". www.earsense.org. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
^ "Felix Mendelssohn: Octet in E-flat major, op. 20, for strings (1825)". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2021-04-28.

[:02-1] Todd, R. Larry (2003). Mendelssohn : a life in music. Library Genesis. Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-511043-2.

[:12-2] "Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20 - Felix Mendelssohn". www.earsense.org. Retrieved 2021-04-28.

[:2-3] "Felix Mendelssohn: Octet in E-flat major, op. 20, for strings (1825)". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2021-04-28.

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