The Dionysus Ensemble has released the premiere recording online of John Joubert’s Octet. First performed in 1961 by the Melos Ensemble, this recording has been made in collaboration with Anna Joubert (John’s daughter) and her family.
Scored for clarinet, bassoon, horn, string quartet and double bass consists of three movements: an opening Andante which is nocturnal in mood. A fast paced Scherzo for the second movement, and a final movement opening with each of the wind instruments in turn having cadenza-like passages accompanied by the strings. This leads to a return of the opening music until an Allegro passage asserts itself bringing the whole work to a lively conclusion.
You can listen to the recording via various channels accessed via the li.sten.to website