I have been slow to come to Schubert. Most of his Lieder still and always will leave me cold. But, his chamber works have considerable appeal and it seems strange to me that these works lacked acceptance in his own time. Even today, if one speaks of Schubert in general terms, most people will think of him only as a song writer, not a composer of instrumental music. Too bad. One has the feeling, had he lived longer, his music might have developed in ways that would have lifted him beyond the limited scope in which he is perceived most of the time. It was not to be. Death came early from syphilis, which was the AIDS of his time.

The Chamber Players of Canada give us two works on this CBC Records CD. The Octet for Winds and Strings, D803, which lasts 65:36 minutes and for which the CD is named, and the short Trio for Violin, Viola and Cello, D 471, a mere 12:23 minutes long. Both works have an interesting background that is well told in the liner notes by Julian Armour, who also happens to be the cellist for the octet of players that make up the Chamber Players of Canada. The group forms the core of musicians at the Ottawa Chamber Music Society, and it varies in size for concerts, recordings and touring.

The group has managed to bring out the appealing nature of this Schubert Octet, which consists of six movements. It is exceptionally well written, full of tonal poetry and good cheer, without being excessively so — something that bothers me at times about many of his Lieder. Of course, Schubert's music would not be Schubert if it did not contain some dark moments. These occur in the Octet at the beginning of the final movement, Andante molto. But, it is the kind of darkness that opens into light, like the sun rising early in the morning to brighten the day. At the same time, this movement is full of substance. Its brightness lacks any frivolity. Quite lovely, really. One says this not only about the entire score but also thanks, in part, to the fine playing of the chamber group.