Serenade for Strings

Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48

Composer: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Date of publication: January 1881

In the middle of of 1880, Tchaikovsky began composing one of his most esteemed pieces to date, his Serenade for Strings. As a tribute to monumental compositions from the prior century, Tchaikovsky sculpted the Serenade in a neo-Classical style, drawing heavily from Mozart’s style - similar to his Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33. For instance, Tchaikovsky utilizes the popular classical sonatina form in the first movement, with a recurring double-stop motif, whose repetition is rondo-like.

After a slow , swooning introduction, the cellos catalyze a development into the first movement’s excited spirit, marked by climbing and cascading 16th notes. And faithful to the sonata form, Tchaikovsky ends the movement with the introductory theme. In the following second movement, Tchaikovsky channels the first movement’s energy into a romantic waltz. The movement’s playfulness and elegance is created by brevity and staccatos. However, this loose structure is juxtaposed with a heavier trio section. The elegy is beautifully slow and tender, breaking some of the classical era character and returning to the Tchaikovsky we all know and love. Finally in the Finale, Tchaikovsky once again juxtaposes a subdued introduction, characterized by every instrument using mutes in order to create a less bright sound, with a jolly fanfare like Russian dance tune. To round the piece out, Tchaikovsky brings back hints of the first movement motif.

The Serenade's first performance was a private concert given in the Moscow Conservatory on 3 December 1880. Afterwards, it received its first public performance in St Petersburg on 30 October 1881, conducted by Eduard Napravnik. The Serenade was extremely well received. Tchaikovsky himself openly praised it, saying: “I composed the serenade . . . from inner conviction. It is a heartfelt piece and so, I dare to think, it is not lacking in real qualities.”

Fun Fact: Tchaikovsky intended for his Serenade to be played by a full orchestra, writing, "The larger number of players in the string orchestra, the more this shall be in accordance with the author's wishes" directly in the score.

Movements:

I. Pezzo in forma di sonatina

II. Valse

III. Élégie

IV. Finale (Tema russo)