The three works gathered together in this recording arose as expression of some of Tchaikovsky’s deepest and most intimate feelings of friendship and reminiscence. They are a unique combination of warmth, joy, melancholy and hope. Italian cantilenas, buoyant tarantella rhythms and undertones of traditional orthodox chant are united in the four movements of his string sextet Souvenir de Florence. The Third String Quartet, Op. 30,. is undoubtedly the most perfect, expansive and symphonic not only of his quartets, but of all of 19th century Russian chamber music. Melodrama, on the other hand, is a piece from the composer’s incidental music to Alexander Ostrovsky’s The Snow Maiden.

It is an undeservedly neglected masterpiece and one of Tchaikovky’s favorite works; in his memoirs he wrote: “The Snow Maiden is one of my dearest children.” The Chamber Orchestra Kremlin under the direction of Misha Rachlevsky captivate with their transparent and animated interpretations (for which they recently received a Diapason d’or for their recording of Rossini’s Sonatas for Strings, Claves CD 50-9222).