In 1824, it was suggested that Schubert should write a work similar to Beethoven"s Septet. He subsequently approached the project with such enthusiasm and concentration that a friend wrote of him, "If you go and see him during the day he says "Hello. How are you?" and carries on working, whereupon you leave." Schubert added a second violin to Beethoven"s scoring for clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, cello and double bass, but adhered to the Septet"s movement structure and key sequences almost entirely. However, the melody and beauty that infuse the Octet are quintessentially Schubert, and justify the work s enduring popularity. This mid-priced reissue in Hyperion"s Helios series features outstanding performances by the Gaudier Ensemble.