Octet (2000)

Composers have long cherished the ambition of writing an octet which could become a regular programme companion to the great example by Schubert. Huw Watkins stands as good a chance in that respect as any. The composer writes: “I wrote my Octet for the Gaudier Ensemble, who gave it its first performance at the Cerne Abbas Festival in 2000. It is scored for the same forces as Schubert's famous Octet. There are three movements, the first of which is a vigorous Allegro with much energy. The second movement begins with a lyrical clarinet solo accompanied by soft strings, before it changes character. The third movement is another fast movement, fully exploiting    the virtuosity of the ensemble's eight players.”