Strauss and Tchaikovsky: The String Sextets – April 28-30

Praised for “fantastic audio quality” on their recent online presentation, The Vancouver Chamber Music Society brings Strauss’ “String Sextet” from Capriccio, Op. 85 and Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70 to life from New Westminster’s Anvil Centre! By 1890, Tchaikovsky had established his international fame and was at the peak of his powers but composing Souvenir de Florence was not easy. In a letter to his brother, he wrote, “there must be six independent and at the same time homogeneous parts.” The finished work encompassing the fullness of an orchestra in just six instruments with restless energy and momentum beyond satisfied the composer. Strauss’ last opera, Capriccio opens with a richly scored string sextet. Written in the Late Romantic style with which Strauss had begun his career in the late 1800s, the sextet bridges the 20th century and the 1775 setting of the opera. Strauss’s silky string allusion to the romantic era pairs perfectly with Tchaikovsky’s luscious Souvenir de Florence. Enjoy the symphony of soloists performed by six of Vancouver’s best chamber artists. Programme: Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70 (1890) – Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky “String Sextet” from Capriccio, Op. 85 (1942) – Richard Strauss Artists: Timothy Steeves, violin Jenny Lim, violin Jacob van der Sloot, viola Katrina Chitty, viola Jonathan Lo, cello Luke Kim, cello