Souvenir de Florence
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The String Sextet in D Minor "Souvenir de Florence", Op. 70, is a String sextet scored for 2 Violins, 2 Violas, and 2 Cellos composed in 1890 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It is dedicated to the St. Petersburg Chamber Music Society in response to him becoming an Honorary Member. Work on the Sextet began while the composer was visiting Florence, Italy, hence the title "Souvenir de Florence" which translates from French to "Memory of Florence". The work is in the traditional four-movement form.
[edit] Structure
- I. Allegro con spirito (D minor, Approx. 10:00)
- II. Adagio cantabile e con moto (D major, Approx. 11:00)
- III. Allegretto corto moderato (A minor, Approx. 6:00)
- IV. Allegro con brio e vivace (D minor, Approx. 7:00)
[edit] Analysis
The first movement is in Sonata Form and features a rather violent, yet melodic first theme in D Minor that starts off the piece without any sort of introduction. The second theme, in the relative major key of F Major is much calmer and flows from the first theme almost effortlessly, and then proceeds on into the development and recapitulation, which concludes with a quick coda.
The slow movement, in D Major, has a very innocent, romantic theme which is initially stated by the first violin with pizzicato accompaniment, and is then taken up by the cello, before being interrupted by an interlude for all of the instruments. It then repeats the first section.
The last two movements greatly contrast with the first two, seeing as they contain distinctly Russian and folk-like melodies and rhythms.
