Tchaikovsky: String Quartet & Souvenir de Florence

Featuring

Jaeyoung Kim
Young-Uck Kim
Kyuhyun Kim
Woongwhee Moon
Lise Berthaud
Ophélie Gaillard

Novus Quartet
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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Composition History

Tchaikovsky's String Sextet, "Souvenir de Florence," likely takes its name from a magnificent violin and cello duo in its Adagio, conceived in Florence at the same time as his opera "The Queen of Spades."

Composer Biography

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, one of the most played composers worldwide, initially pursued a career in law, working as a secretary at the Ministry of Justice after graduating in 1859.

Critical Reception

The premiere of Tchaikovsky's first String Quartet was met with an enthusiastic reception, with its second movement, Andante cantabile, immediately drawing significant attention.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Despite its title, Tchaikovsky's "Souvenir de Florence" String Sextet is deeply imbued with a profoundly Russian character, featuring folk-like melodies in its later movements.

Historical Context

In 19th-century Russia, it was common for young musicians like Tchaikovsky to hold other professions; for example, Mikhail Glinka worked at the Ministry of Communications and Alexander Borodin was a chemist.

Cultural Impact

The Andante cantabile movement from Tchaikovsky's first String Quartet, inspired by a Ukrainian folksong, has been widely arranged, including for the 1940 song "On the Isle of May" by Connee Boswell.

Composition History

Tchaikovsky resigned from his government position in 1863 to dedicate himself entirely to music, composing his first String Quartet in 1871 while teaching theory at the new Moscow Conservatory.