String orchestra classics

P. Tchaikovsky. Serenade for String Orchestra in Ñ minor (1880), Op. 48
1. Pezzo in forma di sonatina
2. Walzer
3. Elegie
4. Finale (Tema russo)

This piece reflects classicistic preferences of P. Tchaikovsky, while the actual music bears no signs of intentional stylization; the “mozart” origin is presented by clear, well-balanced forms, light and transparent structure. Due to its captivating freshness and plain representation mixed with perfect subtlety and refined smoothing the Serenade for String Orchestra gained its worldwide appreciation and became one the best-loved works of popular symphonic repertoire. (Y. Keldysh, http://www.belcanto.ru/tchaikovsky_serenade.html).

This piece was frequently and successfully used by choreographers as soundtrack for their ballets (Michel Fokine’s “Eros”, George Balanchine’s “Serenade”, Boris Eifman's “Anna Karenina”).

E. Grieg. Suite in olden style «From Holberg's Time», Op. 40 (1885)
1. Praeludium (Allegro vivace)
2. Sarabande (Andante)
3. Gavotte (Allegretto)
4. Air (Andante religioso)
5. Rigaudon (Allegro con brio)

Edward Grieg’s Suite in olden style is one of the most fine and original pieces of Norwegian music. Austerity of French classicism mixed with romantic narrative – here is the recipe for this music’s subtle charm.

The trigger for its creation was the celebration of two hundred years since Ludvig Holberg’s birth, a Dano-Norwegian writer, essayist, philosopher, historian and playwright, luminary of the Age of Enlightenment, founder of modern Danish and Norwegian literature. Holberg’s protean personality with his wit and satire spoke to Edward Grieg and he was happy to have a chance to play with these olden images, to endue them with something personal. Standing on Dance Suite genre of Couperin and Rameau times, Grieg recreated the most common music forms of Holberg era using expressive means and methods typical for XIII century music.

Initially designed for a piano, the suite was accomplished in August 1884. Grieg made adaptation for a string quartet right away. March 15th 1885 the composer conducted the first performance of the suite «From Holberg's Time» in Bergen. As soon as the orchestra adaptation was published in 1885, the suite started its victorious march around the world. (http://glinka-capella.ru/e-grig/muzyka/1889-sjuita-iz-vremen-holberga.html).