String Serenades

Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Antonin Dvorak (Composer), Edward Elgar (Composer), Ralph Vaughan Williams (Composer), Josef [Composer] Suk (Composer), Christopher Warren-Green (Conductor), London Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: London Chamber Orchestra
• Conductor: Christopher Warren-Green
• Composer: Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Antonin Dvorak, Edward Elgar, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Josef [Composer] Suk
• Audio CD (June 27, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Virgin Classics
• ASIN: B00004LCB1
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #195,340 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Serenade for strings (or piano, 4 hands) in C major, Op. 48: Pezzo In Forma Di Sonatina: Andante No Troppo - Allegro Moderato

2. Serenade for strings (or piano, 4 hands) in C major, Op. 48: Waltz: Moderato, Tempo Di Valse

3. Serenade for strings (or piano, 4 hands) in C major, Op. 48: Finale: Tema Russo: Andante- Allegro Con Spirito

4. Serenade for string orchestra in E major, B. 52 (Op. 22): Moderato

5. Serenade for string orchestra in E major, B. 52 (Op. 22): Tempo Di Valse

6. Serenade for string orchestra in E major, B. 52 (Op. 22): Scherzo: Vivace

7. Serenade for string orchestra in E major, B. 52 (Op. 22): Larghetto

8. Serenade for string orchestra in E major, B. 52 (Op. 22): Finale: Allegro Vivace - Moderato - Presto

9. Introduction and Allegro, for string quartet & string orchestra in G major, Op. 47

10. Serenade, for strings in E minor, Op. 20: Movement No. 1, Allegro Piacevole

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. The Lark Ascending, romance for violin & orchestra

2. Fantasia on Greensleeves, for harp, flute & strings (arranged by R. Greaves; from the opera 'Sir John In Love')

3. Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, for 2 string orchestras

4. Serenade for strings in E flat major, Op. 6: I. Andante Con Moto

5. Serenade for strings in E flat major, Op. 6: II. Allegro Ma Non Troppo E Grazioso

6. Serenade for strings in E flat major, Op. 6: III. Adagio

7. Serenade for strings in E flat major, Op. 6: IV. Allegro Giocoso, Ma Non Troppo Presto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best, January 25, 2003

By 

"violagirl285" (Boise, ID USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: String Serenades (Audio CD)

The music and the musicians of this CD are the of greatest quality. I do not think that many words are necessary, but I must say that this is by far one of my favorite CDs. If you are unsure about classical music or dyed in the wool listener, or a musician, I would recommend this by all means. Even as a musician who has played several of these serenades and heard them many times, I do not tire of hearing them. Coupled with the great sound of the London Chamber orchestra this album is a rare jewel.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Altogether Wonderful, December 24, 2005

By 

Joyce Lee (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: String Serenades (Audio CD)

I like this cd.

Tchaikovsky's Serenade had some tempi I hadn't been used to, especially in the first movement, but the orchestra made just as wonderful a recording.

Dvorak's Serenade is my favorite among the four, and this recording is great. The orchestra is never too harsh, especially in the second, and fourth movements.

Introduction and Allegro is an interesting piece. I love how full the sound is. Some recordings feature smaller orchestras, and the sound is not as big and lush. As for Elgar's Serenade, it was played precisely. Besides that, i don't have much to say about it.

The Lark Ascending on this cd is a good version, maybe not the best, but there are certainly many ups about it. The violinist is very playful and does a good job of portraying the little bird. I don't listen to Fantasia on "Greensleeves" much. I don't know why. I can't say much about it, but they certainly do a good job of making it sound "English", for that matter. The Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis is fine. I wouldn't choose this version though. The piece just didn't sweep me up, especially during the climax.

Suk's Serenade is a fun piece to listen to. The piece never gets boring, perhaps due to the actual composition but also with help from the orchestra.

Get this cd if you want a collective, but good picture of the String Serenades out there. I would recommend it.

5 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Musical bliss, August 12, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: String Serenades (Audio CD)

I attended a concert in which the Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra, known better for their Mozart music, performed the Serenade for strings by Dvorak. It is an excellent piece. The Larghetto, the slowest movement in the serenade, is a fine work. It is slow and nearly an adagio for strings, with a serious and meditative tone. The scherzo, like the measure, is a rollicking and bouncy bit of music, with skipping strings and bouncing notes. The scherzos of Mendelsshon I particularily enjoy. Dvorak is'nt exactly like Mendelsshon when it comes to the scherzo form, but he is can alternate from grave to joyous tones.