Beethoven - Octet for Woodwinds, Opus 103 with accompanying score

Beethoven’s catalog of mature works isn't comprised of a significant amount of music written for woodwinds: although as a young and aspiring composer in Bonn, he wrote a variety of pieces for different--and occasionally unorthodox--instrumental combinations at the behest of his patron, the elector Maximilian Franz.

The Octet for Winds, op. 103, stands apart from nearly all his other works. It acquired its curiously high opus number, despite the date of its composition, 1793, when it was published posthumously and given its opus designation by the publishers in Vienna.

The work consists of four movements.

00:06 - I. Allegro
07:45 - II. Andante
15:51 - III: Menuetto
(Despite the written name, “Minuet” is one of the earliest examples of Beethoven’s predilection for replacing the minuet with a more untamed and lighthearted scherzo.)
19:01 - IV: Presto

Sheet music and audio is from IMSLP under Creative Commons License. http://imslp.org/wiki/Wind_Octet_in_E-flat_major,_Op.103_(Beethoven,_Ludwig_van)/

Performers: Laila Storch (oboe), William McColl (clarinet), David Kappy (horn), Arthur Grossman (bassoon) [from Soni Ventorum Wind Quintet] assisted by Paul Margelli (oboe), Mark Wardlaw (clarinet) Rodger Burnett (horn) and Francine Floyd (bassoon).

Видео Beethoven - Octet for Woodwinds, Opus 103 with accompanying score канала Gwenny's Attic