Concerts in the West: Ilminster

Modest Mussorgsky, arr. Robert Patterson: Pictures at an Exhibition (selection)
Howard Ferguson Octet Op. 4
Franz Schubert Octet D803

Ilminster Arts Centre, East Street, Ilminster, Somerset, TA19 0AN

Howard Ferguson craftily re-scored his drafts for a clarinet quintet for the ensemble used by Schubert in his famous Octet. During the editing of the later piece, fellow composer Gerald Finzi wrote to Ferguson ‘…the first movement, I think it’s absolutely perfect, and without flattery, I think it’s more likely that the Schubert Octet will be stuck-in to be played with yours rather than the other way round, as you originally intended.’ Tonight’s concert contains both works, so the audience is free to decide for themselves.

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