Not only the key, but also the instruments for which Louis Ferdinand's Octet, Op.12 was composed, have often been mistakenly given. A number of sources list the work as being in f minor, and while some of the octet is indeed in f minor, namely the introduction Lento Patetico and the middle movement, Romance, the bulk of the work is in F Major. Beyond the key, several recordings claim that the octet is for 2 violins and not 2 violas. This is just simply wrong and an examination of the score and original manuscript would have made this quite clear. The Octet was composed around 1805, shortly before his death. The introduction is a substantial Lento patetico, which is melancholy but not terribly sad. It leads to a leisurely and elegant Allegro grazioso, which has a whiff of the salon. The rather slow middle movement, Romanza, larghetto cantabile ed espresso, is quite lyrical. The jolly finale, a dance-like Rondo, allegro non troppo, mostly in the major, is attractive and light.
Louis Ferdinand (1772-1806) was professional soldier, who died during a battle fighting Napoleon's invading army, He was also trained as a musician, studying piano and composition with several different teachers. He was a gifted pianist, reckoned a virtuoso with few peers by those who heard him. Beethoven not only agreed with this verdict but also admired his compositions. He can be considered a bridge composer between the classicism and the early romantic, rather like Hummel. Military and court life left little time to compose and he has but a few works to his credit, mostly chamber music. These include 3 piano trios, 2 piano quartets, a piano quintet and this Octet.
