Abstract
The main work of February’s Brunch / Lunch Concert is Piotr Tchaikovsky’s «Streichsextett d-Moll op. 70», which is better known as «Souvenir de Florence». It was composed after Tchaikovsky’s stay in Florence, where he worked on his opera «Pique Dame». Despite the key of D minor, the work is infused with a cheerful serenade tone. Tchaikovsky’s last chamber work is one of the most popular pieces in his repertoire, not least because of its melodic inventiveness and opulence of sound. Less frequently heard is a string quintet by Swiss composer Frank Martin: His «Pavane couleur du temps» from 1920 is based on the fairy tale «Peau d’âne» by Charles Perrault («Allerleirauh» by the Brothers Grimm) and is still entirely characterized by late romantic harmonies and impressionistic colors.