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Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings, Op. 48 / Lychkov, Leducq-Barôme, Baltic Chamber Orchestra
Brilliant Classics

Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings, Op. 48 / Lychkov, Leducq-Barôme, Baltic Chamber Orchestra

$13.99

Details

Composer
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Artist
Baltic Chamber Orchestra
Format
CD
Label
Brilliant Classics
Released
May 27, 2022
Catalog #
BRI96520
UPC
5028421965208

About

The second half of the 19th century witnessed a proliferation of significant works for strings alone including the Serenades for Strings by Dvorák (1875) and Tchaikovsky (1880) and Grieg’s Holberg Suite (1884), followed by a trio of works for strings in 1892 from Suk, Wolf and Elgar. Tchaikovsky’s music for string instruments is notable for its range and consistency – and this culminates in the magnificent Violin Concerto and one of the greatest works ever conceived for string orchestra, his Serenade of 1880. Earlier, in 1873, Tchaikovsky wrote incidental music to Ostrovsky’s three-act drama The Snow Maiden. Though he abandoned the idea of adapting it into an opera, when Rimsky-Korsakov composed one on the same subject, he retained affection for this little-known work. Judging by the beautiful Melodrama of Act II, its neglect is unjustified. Eight years before that, as a 25-year-old student at the St Petersburg Conservatory he composed a String Quartet in B flat. If, as some authorities believe, it had four movements, only one has survived. Such is the inner power of the music that it takes on a more expressive hue when performed by a full string orchestra as on this recording.

Towards the end of 1884, the Moscow Society of Artists wished to honor veteran actor Ivan Samarin’s 50-year artistic career, and Tchaikovsky enthusiastically contributed a musical entr’acte. Tchaikovsky’s publisher Jurgenson persuaded the composer the music was worthy of publication, under the title Elegy, as Samarin died the year after the celebrations. When Tchaikovsky suddenly died near the end of 1893, the slow movement of his Third String Quartet was arranged for string orchestra by Glazunov for performance at his funeral service. Glazunov’s subtle and sympathetic arrangement of this fine music for full string orchestra honors his friend, the great composer, in truly noble fashion.

REVIEW:

This attractive program includes Tchaikovsky’s familiar Serenade for Strings along with four shorter works, the last of which, the Glazounov-arranged Andante Funebre e Doloroso from the Third Quartet, was played at Tchaikovsky’s funeral in 1893.

The chamber orchestra's playing is full and warm, rich in vibrato and expression. If you like Russian music played by native musicians (I’m thinking here of the old Leningrad Philharmonic, which became the St Petersburg Philharmonic in 1991) you’ll enjoy this. It’s some of Tchaikovsky’s most attractive music, richly played and beautifully recorded.

-- American Record Guide

Tracklist 8 tracks

  1. 1 Snegurochka (The Snow Maiden), Op. 12, Act II: Melodrama 04:01
    Track
    1
    Title
    Snegurochka (The Snow Maiden), Op. 12, Act II: Melodrama
    Duration
    04:01
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Lev Klychkov
    Ensemble
    Baltic Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Emmanuel Leducq-Barôme
  2. 2 String Quartet in B-Flat Major (arr. N. Brucher for string orchestra) 13:27
    Track
    2
    Title
    String Quartet in B-Flat Major (arr. N. Brucher for string orchestra)
    Duration
    13:27
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Lev Klychkov
    Ensemble
    Baltic Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Emmanuel Leducq-Barôme
  3. 3 Elegy in Honour of Ivan Samarin 06:57
    Track
    3
    Title
    Elegy in Honour of Ivan Samarin
    Duration
    06:57
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Lev Klychkov
    Ensemble
    Baltic Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Emmanuel Leducq-Barôme
  4. 4 I. Pezzo in forma di Sonatina 09:34
    Track
    4
    Title
    I. Pezzo in forma di Sonatina
    Duration
    09:34
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Lev Klychkov
    Ensemble
    Baltic Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Emmanuel Leducq-Barôme
  5. 5 II. Walzer 03:39
    Track
    5
    Title
    II. Walzer
    Duration
    03:39
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Lev Klychkov
    Ensemble
    Baltic Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Emmanuel Leducq-Barôme
  6. 6 III. Élégie 08:48
    Track
    6
    Title
    III. Élégie
    Duration
    08:48
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Lev Klychkov
    Ensemble
    Baltic Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Emmanuel Leducq-Barôme
  7. 7 IV. Finale 07:25
    Track
    7
    Title
    IV. Finale
    Duration
    07:25
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Lev Klychkov
    Ensemble
    Baltic Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Emmanuel Leducq-Barôme
  8. 8 String Quartet No. 3 in E-Flat Minor, Op. 30: III. Andante funebre e doloroso, ma con moto (arr. A.K. Glazunov for string orchestra) 11:36
    Track
    8
    Title
    String Quartet No. 3 in E-Flat Minor, Op. 30: III. Andante funebre e doloroso, ma con moto (arr. A.K. Glazunov for string orchestra)
    Duration
    11:36
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer
    Lev Klychkov
    Ensemble
    Baltic Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Emmanuel Leducq-Barôme