The string quartet consists of two violins, a viola and a cello. The quartet repertory requires a lot of concentration and rehearsal to get everything just right. As a result, chamber music festivals don’t program many quartets because that level of concentration is difficult to attain with four pickup players. String quartets work best when performed by a professional quartet.
This slow movement from Pete’s first string quartet was orchestrated years later and is best known in that version. But here is the original. At the first performance, Leo Tolstoy was in attendance and broke into tears. It’s a two handkerchief piece, and that plagal cadence – the beautiful “Amen” at the end – will break your heart.
I have always loved this...probably because I recognize the strains of Eih Ukhnyem (The Volga Boatman) drifting through it.
Tchaikovsky loved to quote the old Russian Folk Songs.
Good evening, Publius, and thank you for sharing the quartets. ((HUGS))
I’m enjoying Tchaikovsky now.