TCHAIKOVSKY: String Quartets, Vol. 1

• Qts
• Tchaikovsky, P.I.
• Strumento-vol

Though Peter Il'yich Tchaikovsky was a highly prolific composer, writing in every genre from grand opera to simple settings of Russian folksongs, he offered only six chamber works for publication. This brief catalogue contained three string quartets, a combination of instruments Tchaikovsky seemed intent on mastering before setting to work on his first complete score. Those early efforts were in the form of single movements, and remained among his manuscripts, eventually published as Four Early Pieces. The First Quartet dates from 1871, and though immediately successful, it gained added popularity when the composer arranged the second movement as the Andante Cantabile for string orchestra.