Today, let's listen to one of Tchaikovsky's less dramatic, more thoughtful works: his Serenade for Strings, Op. 48. The second movement has become popular as a stand-alone piece, which I'm sure many readers will recognize.
The second movement was arranged for soprano and full orchestra under the title "From the Heart of a Lonely Poet", performed by Kathryn Grayson in the 1945 film "Anchors Aweigh".
There are plenty of "Serenades for Strings" out there, from many composers. I think they might bear further attention as we go on through the year.
Peter
By the way, that second movement uses SEVEN beats/measure. Makes for interesting 'waltz' music, no?
ReplyDeleteAh the good old days of film. Gene Kelly was quite the performer as was Kathryn Grayson. Never been much of a Sinatra fan, though he did perform with the best.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post.
There is, of course, Barber's Adagio for Strings (originally the Adagio movement of his string quartet, and then reworked most beautifully as his Agnus Dei).
ReplyDeleteThere is another wonderful 7/4 piece: O happy we from Bernstein's Candide.
Tchaikovsky Symphony 5, Movement 3 is in 5/4.