Cooke's Tour 18: MENDELSSOHN Octet in E flat, an introduction

Was Mendelssohn a genius? In his 18th blog during this pandemic, Richard Cooke tackles this question, illustrating it with Mendelssohn’s remarkable Octet in E flat, written when the composer was just 16 years old. Scored for double string quartet, it bubbles, it soothes, it flutters, it shines. ‘Utterly inspired and brilliant!’ says Richard, ‘Mendelssohn’s Octet is unquestionably a masterpiece’.

If you love singing Elijah and Lobgesang, then take a look at Mendelssohn’s orchestral work, which deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Mozart, Schubert and Bach – geniuses all!

Richard Cooke is Music Director of the Royal Choral Society, University of Essex Choir and Canterbury Choral Society.

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