Help
Skip to main content

Special offer. Forgotten Sounds

The World Premiere Recording of Loeffler's Rediscovered Octet

Ji Weon Ryu, Han Lash, Bora Kim, Rachel Loseke, Matthew Cohen, Yun Han, Kohei Yamaguchi, Graeme Steele Johnson, David Shifrin (clarinet), Bridget Kibbey, Stella Chen (violin), Siwoo Kim, Matthew Lipman, Samuel DeCaprio, Sam Suggs

Forgotten Sounds

Awards:

The Octet at times gives the impression of Loeffler as being an unexpected, utterly charming, combination of late Brahms and early Ravel... it is also sublimely played, the gorgeous entwining...

Special offer. Forgotten Sounds

The World Premiere Recording of Loeffler's Rediscovered Octet

Ji Weon Ryu, Han Lash, Bora Kim, Rachel Loseke, Matthew Cohen, Yun Han, Kohei Yamaguchi, Graeme Steele Johnson, David Shifrin (clarinet), Bridget Kibbey, Stella Chen (violin), Siwoo Kim, Matthew Lipman, Samuel DeCaprio, Sam Suggs

Purchase product

CD

Original price $19.00 Reduced price $15.20

10+ available: usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days

Download

From Original price $9.25 Reduced price $6.50

Download

Audio formats guide

96 kHz, 24 bit, FLAC/ALAC/WAV

Original price ($18.25) Reduced price $12.75

44.1 kHz, 16 bit, FLAC/ALAC/WAV

Original price ($13.75) Reduced price $9.50

320 kbps, MP3

Original price ($9.25) Reduced price $6.50

This release includes a digital booklet

Stream now Hi-RES 96 kHz, 24 bit

Awards:

The Octet at times gives the impression of Loeffler as being an unexpected, utterly charming, combination of late Brahms and early Ravel... it is also sublimely played, the gorgeous entwining...

About

Unheard since two performances in 1897, Charles Martin Loeffler's Octet is recorded here for the first time, owing to the persistence of Graeme Steele Johnson, a versatile clarinetist whose artistic endeavors range from a TEDx talk to chamber arrangements and performances with the award-winning WindSync. A gem that blends Brahmsian warmth with Impressionist harmony, very much reflecting the American composer's German and French roots, the Octet showcases Loeffler's intricate musicianship and unique soundworld. Distinguished musicians have joined in this compelling exploration of musical rediscovery which aims to enrich the present musical landscape by restoring Forgotten Sounds. The program starts with Graeme's arrangement for chamber ensemble of Debussy's famed Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune, a work suffused with the poetic Symbolism dear to Loeffler, and aptly concludes with another little-known Loeffler work, the titular Timbres oublies.

Contents and tracklist

Spotlight on this release

Awards and reviews

  • BBC Music Magazine
    September 2024
    Chamber Choice
  • Gramophone Magazine
    Critics' Choice 2024
  • Gramophone Awards
    2025 Shortlist
    Chamber

September 2024

The Octet at times gives the impression of Loeffler as being an unexpected, utterly charming, combination of late Brahms and early Ravel... it is also sublimely played, the gorgeous entwining of pairs of clarinets and violins at the heart of the Adagio molto meltingly beautiful, while the rustic fun of the final movement’s Allegro alla Zingara is delightful.

“The new work,” one critic wrote, “took nearly everyone by storm”, but another thought it dry and uninteresting. After hearing its first revival in 125 years, engineered by the clarinettist Graeme Steele Johnson, I’m with the storm-swept.
View download progress