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
Awards:
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BBC Music Magazine, September 2024, Chamber Choice
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Gramophone Magazine, Critics' Choice 2024
-
Gramophone Awards, 2025 Shortlist, Chamber
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
Awards:
-
BBC Music Magazine, September 2024, Chamber Choice
-
Gramophone Magazine, Critics' Choice 2024
-
Gramophone Awards, 2025 Shortlist, Chamber
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
- Ji Weon Ryu, Han Lash, Bora Kim, Rachel Loseke, Matthew Cohen, Yun Han, Kohei Yamaguchi, Graeme Steele Johnson
- David Shifrin, Bridget Kibbey, Stella Chen, Siwoo Kim, Matthew Lipman, Samuel DeCaprio, Sam Suggs, Graeme Steele Johnson
- David Shifrin, Bridget Kibbey, Stella Chen, Siwoo Kim, Matthew Lipman, Samuel DeCaprio, Sam Suggs, Graeme Steele Johnson
- David Shifrin, Bridget Kibbey, Stella Chen, Siwoo Kim, Matthew Lipman, Samuel DeCaprio, Sam Suggs, Graeme Steele Johnson
- Bridget Kibbey, Graeme Steele Johnson
Spotlight on this release
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Awards and reviews
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BBC Music MagazineSeptember 2024Chamber Choice
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Gramophone MagazineCritics' Choice 2024
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.
