Tchaikovsky’s Serenade is one of the most beautiful of all works for a string ensemble, and it has been frequently performed by the Amsterdam Sinfonietta since its establishment in 1988.
Arensky wrote his Second String Quartet in memory of Tchaikovsky, with whom he was befriended. His homage overflows with melancholy and dark tone colors. The middle movement, based on a song by Tchaikovsky, was later arranged by Arensky for string orchestra.
The Amsterdam Sinfonietta took upon itself to arrange and perform the entire Second Quartet. In Tchaikovsky’s footsteps, Arensky made use here of religious chants and motifs from Russian folk music.
Here is the Amsterdam Sinfonietta in music from this recording:
