I always find it interesting when explaining to people about my love for "classical" music, the one composer I neglect to mention is the one I perhaps admire the most presently. Tchaikovsky lived a difficult life, then again name a composer that hasn't to a certain degree?

Anyway, lately as mentioned earlier I've been in a chamber mood, all the recordings I've sought involve the chamber aspect to a degree and one recording I found at the library this week has turned out to be particularly good, hence this post. Tchaikovsky wrote three string quartets during his lifetime, though perhaps for many, there is only one quartet that is truly recognized and loved. It is one of my favorites and is the subject to this post, Tchaikovsky's String Quartet No.1 in D Major, Op.11 is the defining apogee of the three quartets that composer ever wrote.

The work got its first notice in a 1781 concert a young Tchaikovsky held in hopes of raising a bit of money, as he was barely getting by on his salary from the Moscow Conservatory. The D major quartet was written on occasion for this concert.

The Quartet is deep in Russian tradition, as most of his compositions are and carries that distinct Russian caricature of sound and texture throughout the work. It is unfortunate for me however that my favorite movement from this quartet, the fourth, is not available in video on the internet (YouTube included) I was disappointed as it is the perfect movement of which to define Tchaikovsky as a composer. Deep with tense and rich harmony, two strong Russian melodies that develop themselves throughout and an intricate orchestration that one would recognize from his symphonic works.

Anyway, the videos below are of the famous second movement and the rigorous Scherzo performed by the Voxare Quartet: David Marks and Emily Ondracek, violin, Erik Peterson, viola and Adrian Daurov, cello.


2. Andante cantabile


The second movement, Andante cantabile, is one of this composer's most beloved creations and is perhaps Tchaikovsky at his most humble. The first melody is a simple, melancholy folk song that Tchaikovsky is said to have learned from a carpenter in Kamenka. The second is original, very much a ballad initially sung by the first violin over the cello's descending, chromatic pizzicato notes.

3. Scherzo, Allegro non tanto e con fuoco


The scherzo is powered by a forceful theme that seamlessly skips into a dancelike rhythm one would expect from the movement. The trio section is more of a frolic but in tone of the earlier material carries a harmonic tension that flows through into the finale movemment.

One could gather a sense of flight or a soaring feeling when listening to the fourth movement. If you're really interested, you can listen here where I've uploaded it. Recommended!