Mendelssohn’s String Octet in historical performance practice

On the occasion of the Richard-Wagner-Akademie’s first Saxony tour with the ‪@DresdenMusicFestival‬ this recording of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy’s String Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20, in historical performance practice was made in April 2025. The work was prepared by an ensemble of internationally renowned musicians under scholarly guidance, documented on film, and later performed before audiences during a tour of three of Saxony’s most beautiful music venues.

Mendelssohn composed the Octet in 1825 at just 16 years old — a youthful masterpiece full of energy, lyricism, and invention.

A project of the Richard-Wagner-Akademie of the Dresdner Musikfestspiele.

Recorded in April 2025 at the Richard-Wagner-Stätten Graupa, the oldest museum-used residence of Richard Wagner. A permanent exhibition documents Wagner's childhood, school years and education in Saxony as well as his time at the Dresden Court Opera. The Richard-Wagner-Stätten Graupa regularly host musical events.
Stay up to date and find out about planned events here. https://www.wagnerstaetten.de/veranst...

Funded by the Saxon State Ministry of Science, Culture and Tourism. This institution is co-financed with tax funds on the basis of the budget adopted by the Saxon State Parliament.

Performance Practice Consultant and Musicologist:
Prof. Dr. Clive Brown, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna

Performers:
Kevin Zhu (violin)
Alfia Bakieva (violin)
Nathan Meltzer (violin)
Stella Chen (violin)
Ulrich Eichenauer (viola)
Sindy Mohamed (viola)
Jan Vogler (cello)
Astrig Siranossian (cello)