Page 334 - Liverpool Philharmonic 22-23 Season Coverage Book
P. 334
Photo: Ben Wright
Tchaikovsky’s Sextet in D minor Souvenir De Florence (1890) was the richly deserved central
work this evening and what a truly magnificent piece of music it is. This is the composer’s only
string sextet and it was influenced by his visit to Florence. The structure of Tchaikovsky’s piece is
set in four distinctive movements. The first movement sets the tone with a flamboyant flourish of
dizzying melody and colourful narrative, performed with the utmost clarity by the superb
ensemble. The second slower movement and probably my most favourite of the four has a
charming mediative and melancholy feel about it, and it just shows what a musical genius
Tchaikovsky was – once again the ensemble performs this impeccably. The final rousing two
movements of Souvenir De Florence show off the composer’s roots in folk-like melody with their
triumphant and anthemic themes going throughout.
This was an imaginative and beautifully assembled programme of short works performed by a
superb ensemble of talented musicians at the top of their game!
Reviewer: Kiefer Williams
Reviewed: 17th October 2022
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★
