P.I. Tchaikovsky Serenade for string orchestra
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is an outstanding Russian composer who, with his creative work, made an invaluable contribution to the treasury of world music culture. His compositions amaze with inexhaustible melodic riches, magnificent mastery of orchestration and natural ingenuity. A good example of this is the Serenade for String Orchestra. In this small piece, the maestro, using only stringed instruments, created a sound palette endowed with bright colors. Music with the maximum effect affects the listeners, initially enchanting them, and then completely delights in listening to the wonderful creation of the great master.
History of creation
In the biography Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky the period from the end of the seventies to the middle of the eighties is marked as a period of constant wandering. The composer traveled through France, Austria, Italy, and also lived in Switzerland for a long time. In the spring of 1880, returning from Rome to his homeland, Peter Ilyich temporarily settled in Kamenka, the estate of his beloved younger sister Alexandra Ilyinichna Davydova. Tchaikovsky decided to rest there for a bit, then he had no desire to engage in composing activities. However, soon after receiving an order from Nikolai Grigorievich Rubinstein, he became interested in writing Solemn Overture "1812". Along with this, the maestro began to have new ideas about creating a symphony or, in extreme cases, some chamber work. As a result, Tchaikovsky opted for a short composition for string orchestra, especially since he was back in fashion at that time. serenade genrewhich was very popular with 18th century composers.
Peter Ilyich decided to create a work that would reflect the traditions of the previous and present centuries, as well as European and Russian music. In addition, the composer wanted to express his reverence for genius with this work. Mozart and even laid out the musical material of the first part in the manner of the great Austrian. The work went quickly: in the fall, the Serenade was completed and dedicated to the German musician Karl Karlovich Albrecht. A little later, at the request of friends, the maestro made a transcription of his next creation for two piano performers. Petersburgers with a premiere performance of work have pleased in a year: in October, 1881. The orchestra was conducted by Edward Frantsevich Napravnik. Muscovites first heard the "Serenade" in the next 1882. Behind the conductor's stand was a German conductor Maximilian Karlovich Erdmansdörfer.
Interesting Facts
- Tchaikovsky dedicated his "Serenade" to Karl Karlovich Albrecht, a cellist, choir conductor, composer and teacher. From early childhood, this German lived in Russia, and from 1883 to 1885 he served as director of the Moscow Conservatory.
- In the third part of the "Serenade" - Elegies there is a topic that Peter Ilyich used again ten years later, but already in his other brilliant creation - opera "Queen of Spades". In this work, the motif from the Elegy took a central place, since the composer built one of the most important scenes in the opera on it: Herman near the Countess in the bedroom asks her to reveal the secret of the three cards.
- Many choreographers used the wonderful music of "Serenade" in their choreographic productions. The most famous are such performances as "Eros" by M. Fokin, "Serenade" by D. Balanchine and "Anna Karenina" by B. Eifman.
- The Serenade of Pyotr Ilyich is included in the repertoire of many well-known orchestras, and at present there are a large number of recordings of this magnificent work, among which I especially want to highlight the performance of the Vienna Philharmonic (1950), State. the USSR orchestra (1975), the Moscow Soloists orchestra (1990), the Moscow Virtuosi orchestra (1992), the Air Force orchestra (2009).
Content
"Serenade" includes four parts, each of which Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky entitled in Italian.
First part (C-dur) - Pezzo in forma di sonatina (A play in the form of a sonatina). Based on the name of the part, the composer wrote it in sonata form, which does not include such a section as development. It all starts with a small stately entry at a leisurely pace Andante non troppo. The next main part of the intonation is very close to the topic of the introduction, however, the pace Allegro moderato designated by Pyotr Ilyich provides not only the revival of the musical material, but also its energetic development, which then leads to a temperamental secondary party. The life-affirming first part ends with the solemn theme of the introduction, presented in abbreviated form.
The second part of (G-dur) - Valse (Waltz). Usually in the instrumental serenades of the XVIII century, the second part was always presented as gallant minuet, but Tchaikovsky broke this tradition and replaced it with waltz (Moderate, dolce e molto grazioso). Already by the author's note, you can determine that it is gentle and graceful music. However, besides this, having heard it, it is safe to say that the melodic line of dance, which amazes with its extraordinary beauty, conveys a state of happy carelessness and enthusiastic joy of life.
The third part (D-dur) - Elegia (Elegy). Since the music of the Elegy is usually characterized as thoughtful and sad, Peter Ilyich begins it with a motive, which, despite the upward movement, very much resembles church chants. Further, the soulful musical material presented by the composer cannot be called anything other than a romance or a “song without words”. In the process of development, the sensual music of the Elegia is transformed, acquiring a dramatic and even tragic character.
Fourth part (C-dur) - Finale. Tema russo (Finals on the Russian theme). As indicated by the composer in the final table of contents, the musical theme of this section is based on folk motifs. The final, enclosed in a sonata form with a detailed development, begins with an introduction to the theme of a drawn-out round dance melody "As in a meadow, a meadow". Next, the main part, in which Tchaikovsky used the theme of the merry dance song "Under the Apple Tree", fills the music with cheerful fun. The furthering melodious side part does not change the light mood of the part, but only introduces some lyrics into it. In the development of all topics receive intensive development, which as a result leads to a triumphant finale.
Serenade for string orchestra is a piece to which Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky he himself treated with great sympathy. Having captivated the listeners from the very moment of its appearance, it is still very popular at the present time, because besides the music that fascinates with its beauty, the maestro has comprehensively demonstrated the unlimited expressive possibilities that are inherent in a string orchestra.
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