Camerata Nordica

From one of Europe’s premier chamber orchestras comes a group of eight string players for an almost theatrical approach to chamber playing. Standing in a semi-circle, the self-conducted Camerata Nordica octet is “in a class by itself in the way these players so perfectly negotiate the very intricate, most fiercely quick and complex sections” (ClassicsToday.com).

Genius, youth, and a hint of irreverence — these are qualities shared by Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Shostakovich who wrote astonishingly good works at a young age. A standout from Sweden’s chamber scene, Camerata Nordica brings them together, opening with a jocular romp by Mozart, while Mendelssohn’s Octet serves as the anchor of the concert. Written by the composer at just 16, the frolicsome, high-energy Octet, spins dizzying interplay between eight independent voices. Considered one of the masterworks of chamber music, the Mendelssohn Octet inspired the other octet on this program, the blazing Op. 11 by 18-year-old Dmitri Shostakovich.