Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70

Description

Souvenir de Florence, a romantic masterwork full of virtuosity and melodic invention, was originally composed in 1890 as a string sextet, dedicated to the Saint Petersburg Chamber Society. Tchaikovsky wrote of the piece that he was �in essence, composing for the orchestra, and only then arranging it for six strings.� This arrangement, by Lucas Drew, is a string orchestra transcription that adds a Double Bass part to the original six voices. The ebullient first movement, Allegro con spirito, develops an exciting and memorable Florentine theme. The second movement, Adagio cantabile e con moto, showcases the composer�s graceful melodic writing. The third movement is a light balletic scherzo and is followed by the passionate final movement, which incorporates traditional Slavic folk dances. String count: 8-8-3.3-3.3-5 in set.