Encore! Chamber music, friendship, and Mendelssohn's Octet concert and research series
In October 2021, in coordination with the Don Wright Faculty of Music's long-standing "Fridays @ 12:30" concert series, renowned performers Scott St John, Erika Raum, Annalee Patipatanakoon, Mark Fewer, Sharon Wei, Annemarie Moorcroft, Mischa Meyer, and Thomas Wiebe performed Mendelssohn's famous String Octet. Following the concert, the performers joined in conversation about the piece, which was moderated by music theorist/historian faculty member Jonathan De Souza.
Described as a "feast for our pandemic-starved souls" by Assistant Dean (Research) Emily Abrams Ansari, coordinator of the new "Talking Music" research series, the concert was an emotional experience for the audience.
Since the nineteenth century, Felix Mendelssohn's String Octet has been a favourite for classical-music audiences – and performers too. How does it feel to play this piece? What can it teach us about chamber music as a creative and social activity?
Please enjoy these recordings of the concert and post-concert talk, shared with permission by the performers.
Concert: Chamber Music, Friendship, and Mendelssohn's Octet
String Octet in E flat Major, Op.20
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Violins: Scott St John, Erika Raum, Annalee Patipatanakoon, Mark Fewer
Violas: Annemarie Moorcroft, Sharon Wei
Cellos: Thomas Wiebe, Mischa Meyer
Talking Music: Chamber Music, Friendship, and Mendelssohn's Octet
Participants: Scott St John, Erika Raum, Annalee Patipatanakoon, Mark Fewer, Sharon Wei, Annemarie Moorcroft, Mischa Meyer, and Thomas Wiebe
Moderator: Jonathan De Souza
All recorded in von Kuster Hall, Music Building, Western University and livestreamed in real-time on October 22, 2021. Audience members permitted to attend in person, per health and safety guidelines in effect at the time, were all internal student, faculty and staff members of the Don Wright Faculty of Music community.
