Domingo Hindoyan conductor
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70
1. I. Allegro con spirito
2. II. Adagio cantabile e con moto
     Eva Thorarinsdottir solo violin
     Jonathan Aasgaard solo cello
3. III. Allegro moderato
     Nicholas Bootiman solo viola
4. IV. Allegro vivace

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 'Pathétique'
5. I. Adagio - Allegro ma non troppo
6. II. Allegro con grazia
7. III. Allegro molto vivace
8. IV. Adagio lamentoso

‘Italy, Florence – nothing gives me the slightest pleasure so far’ Tchaikovsky wrote to his brother. ‘I cannot live outside Russia’.

In the depth of depression, the composer commenced work on his sextet Souvenir de Florence, and completed it upon his return to Russia in June 1890. Melancholy Russian folk melodies mingle with Tchaikovsky’s Florentine theme rising in the Adagio. Maybe he did have an affection for the city after all?

His 6th Symphony (Pathétique), described by Tchaikovsky as his finest work, is a striking example of his inner turmoil and artistic brilliance. Tragically, he passed away just days after conducting its premiere, during the cholera pandemic sweeping Russia.