United Strings of Europe, Julian Azkoul – Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48, TH 48 & Other Works (2022) [FLAC 24bit/192kHz]

United Strings of Europe, Julian Azkoul – Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48, TH 48 & Other Works (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:17:25 minutes | 2,49 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © BIS

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:

01. United Strings of Europe & Julian Azkoul – Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48, TH 48: I. Pezzo in forma di sonatina (09:43)
02. United Strings of Europe & Julian Azkoul – Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48, TH 48: II. Valse (03:49)
03. United Strings of Europe & Julian Azkoul – Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48, TH 48: III. Elegia (09:11)
04. United Strings of Europe & Julian Azkoul – Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48, TH 48: IV. Finale (Tema russo) (07:33)
05. United Strings of Europe & Julian Azkoul – Tchaikovsky: String Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 11, TH 111 (Arr. J. Azkoul for String Ensemble): II. Andante cantabile (06:54)
06. United Strings of Europe & Julian Azkoul – Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70, TH 118 (Arr. J. Azkoul for String Ensemble): I. Allegro con spirito (10:57)
07. United Strings of Europe & Julian Azkoul – Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70, TH 118 (Arr. J. Azkoul for String Ensemble): II. Adagio cantabile e con moto (10:40)
08. United Strings of Europe & Julian Azkoul – Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70, TH 118 (Arr. J. Azkoul for String Ensemble): III. Allegretto moderato (06:24)
09. United Strings of Europe & Julian Azkoul – Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70, TH 118 (Arr. J. Azkoul for String Ensemble): IV. Allegro con brio e vivace (07:18)
10. United Strings of Europe & Julian Azkoul – Tchaikovsky: At Bedtime, TH 70 (1941 Version) [Arr. J. Azkoul for String Ensemble] (04:53)

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