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Tchaikovsky: Orchestral Works / Azkoul, United Strings of Europe
BIS

Tchaikovsky: Orchestral Works / Azkoul, United Strings of Europe

$21.99

Details

Composer
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Artist
United Strings Of Europe
Format
SACD
Label
BIS
Released
Nov 04, 2022
Catalog #
BIS-2569
UPC
7318599925691

About

After two stylistically diverse anthologies – In Motion and Renewal – the United Strings of Europe and their director Julian Azkoul have chosen to devote their latest project to a single composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. They open with the composer’s Serenade, a tribute to Mozart’s divertimentos, but infused with Tchaikovsky’s characteristic pathos and melancholy. It is one of his most popular works, with the especially beloved Waltz as its second movement, and a finale featuring Russian folk songs. The other works included on this recording are arrangements tailor-made for the ensemble by Julian Azkoul. Andante cantabile, the slow movement of Tchaikovsky’s First String Quartet, is a piece of great emotional power, based on an old folk song which Tchaikovsky reportedly heard in the Ukrainian town of Kamenka. Composed following a stay in Florence, the Sextet is brooding in temperament and despite its title arguably more Russian than Italian in character. Like the Serenade, it makes use of classical forms and devices but also includes passages evoking traditional Russian music. After completing the work, Tchaikovsky – who was otherwise his own harshest critic – wrote: ‘it’s frightening to see how pleased I am with myself’. The album closes with At Bedtime, an early composition for mixed choir with a meditative quality reminiscent of Eastern Orthodox chant that lends itself well to the string orchestra textures.

Tracklist 10 tracks

  1. 1 I. Pezzo in forma di sonatina: Andante non troppo - Allegro moderato 09:38
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Pezzo in forma di sonatina: Andante non troppo - Allegro moderato
    Duration
    09:38
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Ensemble
    United Strings of Europe
    Conductor
    Julian Azkoul
  2. 2 II. Waltz: Moderato, tempo di valse 03:44
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Waltz: Moderato, tempo di valse
    Duration
    03:44
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Ensemble
    United Strings of Europe
    Conductor
    Julian Azkoul
  3. 3 III. Élégie: Larghetto elegiaco 09:04
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Élégie: Larghetto elegiaco
    Duration
    09:04
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Ensemble
    United Strings of Europe
    Conductor
    Julian Azkoul
  4. 4 IV. Finale (Tema russo): Andante - Allegro con spirito 07:20
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Finale (Tema russo): Andante - Allegro con spirito
    Duration
    07:20
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Ensemble
    United Strings of Europe
    Conductor
    Julian Azkoul
  5. 5 String Quartet No. 1 in D major, Op. 11: II. Andante cantabile (arr. J. Azkoul for string orchestra) 06:43
    Track
    5
    Title
    String Quartet No. 1 in D major, Op. 11: II. Andante cantabile (arr. J. Azkoul for string orchestra)
    Duration
    06:43
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Ensemble
    United Strings of Europe
    Conductor
    Julian Azkoul
  6. 6 I. Allegro con spirito 10:55
    Track
    6
    Title
    I. Allegro con spirito
    Duration
    10:55
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Ensemble
    United Strings of Europe
    Conductor
    Julian Azkoul
  7. 7 II. Adagio cantabile e con moto 10:35
    Track
    7
    Title
    II. Adagio cantabile e con moto
    Duration
    10:35
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Ensemble
    United Strings of Europe
    Conductor
    Julian Azkoul
  8. 8 III. Allegretto moderato 06:21
    Track
    8
    Title
    III. Allegretto moderato
    Duration
    06:21
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Ensemble
    United Strings of Europe
    Conductor
    Julian Azkoul
  9. 9 IV. Allegro con brio e vivace 07:05
    Track
    9
    Title
    IV. Allegro con brio e vivace
    Duration
    07:05
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Ensemble
    United Strings of Europe
    Conductor
    Julian Azkoul
  10. 10 6 Romances, Op. 27: No. 1. Na son gryadushchiy (At Bedtime) (arr. J. Azkoul for string orchestra) 04:39
    Track
    10
    Title
    6 Romances, Op. 27: No. 1. Na son gryadushchiy (At Bedtime) (arr. J. Azkoul for string orchestra)
    Duration
    04:39
    Composer
    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Ensemble
    United Strings of Europe
    Conductor
    Julian Azkoul