Tchaikovsky: Serenade Op. 48 / Souvenir De Florence, Op. 70 / Nocturne

Featuring

Volker Hartung
Jadranka Gasparovic
European New Philharmonic Orchestra
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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Recording & Production

The European New Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Volker Hartung, aims to engage listeners beyond classical music by blending 'compelling verve and vigorous temperament' with 'uncompromising faithfulness to the work performed'.

Performer Biography

Volker Hartung, the conductor, studied viola and chamber music with the Amadeus Quartet and attended master classes with renowned musicians like Sándor Végh.

Composer Biography

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the composer, was considered by some in his home country to be a 'traitor' to Russian music due to his cosmopolitan style and influences from Western European composers.

Compositional Technique

The original scoring for Tchaikovsky's 'Souvenir de Florence' for two violins, two violas, and two cellos is a very rare combination, though it is performed here in a more common chamber orchestra version.

Composition History

Tchaikovsky's Nocturne for cello and orchestra was commissioned by the Russian cellist Anatol Brandukow, who also ordered another piece, 'Pezzo Capriccioso' op. 62.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Tchaikovsky defined the symphony as 'the most lyrical of musical forms', believing it could express emotions that 'bursts from the soul and demands to be heard' without words.

Composition History

Tchaikovsky composed the String Sextet op. 70, 'Souvenir de Florence', in 1890 after a stay in Florence, and it was later finished and reworked at his home in Frolovskoje.