Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Octet in F, D. 803 (1824)
Fibonacci Sequence (Jack Liebeck (violin); Helen Paterson (violin); Yuko Inoue
(viola); Benjamin Hughes (cello); Duncan McTier (double-bass); Julian Farrell
(clarinet); Richard Skinner (bassoon); Stephen Stirling (horn))
rec. Potton Hall, Suffolk, September 2008.
DEUX–ELLES DXL1145 [61:00] 
The Fibonacci Sequence, one of Britain’s foremost chamber ensembles, here
performs Schubert’s sublime Octet in F.
Written as a commission and modelled on Beethoven’s Septet, Op. 20, Schubert’s
Octet takes the form of a large-scale divertimento - a piece to be listened
to as recreation: not too demanding, not too serious. Composed in March 1824,
and scored for clarinet, bassoon, horn, two violins, viola, cello, and double-bass,
it is the largest in scale of the chamber works. Schubert’s gift for melody
and brilliant yet delicate decoration centres on the contribution of the solo
violin.
The Fibonacci Sequence was founded in 1994 by its artistic director,
pianist Kathron Sturrock. The group is named after Leonardo of Pisa, the great
mediaeval mathematician, commonly known as Fibonacci. The series of numbers
named after him occurs throughout the natural world in the most extraordinary
way, appearing magically, in petals of flowers, branches of trees, and in
many more complex ways. The relation of the numbers to each other is directly
connected to the Golden Section, held by many to determine the most harmonious
proportions in art and music. Now well established The Fibonacci Sequence
is distinguished by the quality and high profile of its members and by the
imagination and variety of its programming, making full use of the range and
versatility of the chamber music repertoire. Its players are noted for the
zest and enthusiasm they communicate to their audience.
However, I do not find that this version quite measures up to the best. There
is not quite the same sense of drive and forward momentum as on the very finest.
There are some slips and smudges by the first violin on the same intricate
figure at 4:47 and 8:13, and some impurities of tone in the horn, nor is the
clarinet as rounded in tone as one would like. The opening does not quite
capture the requisite sense of brooding tension and is rather obvious in its
approach, lacking nuance of dynamics and phrasing. The Schubert Ensemble from
Budapest, on the super-bargain Naxos label, creates a far more enticing and
mysterious mood. The individual members of that ensemble are by and large
more virtuosic and skilful, and more refulgent and secure of tone - as well
as being far freer in expression. The Fibonacci are by comparison too four-square
in their phrasing; the horn around 2.55 does not carry the lightness, legato
and smooth elegance of its Budapest counterpart. The Adagio, too, lacks some
poise - and the suspicion of bumpiness is accentuated by too close a recording.
The instruments need a little more air around them to impart a warmth or glow.
A certain thin, stringiness of tone, presumably a concession to modern HIP
practice, does not serve this music well, and thus the music does not sing
as it should.
While this recording is perfectly serviceable, ultimately the Schubert Ensemble
is considerably more than merely competent: those musicians seem to have been
born with Schubert’s music in their blood. Listening to their 1992 Naxos recording
made in Hungary, one hears them sing, soar and shine with an enjoyment that
borders on bliss. Their evident affection for the music permeates every note
and it’s as if the musicians and their instruments had become one being in
the act of making music. I do not get this sense from listening to the Fibonacci.
Thus this Deux-Elles disc remains a fine second rank version. It lacks the
last degree of refinement and Viennese charm.
Ralph Moore
A fine version yet lacking the last degree of refinement and Viennese charm.