Thirteen Strings presents The Glory of Strings

Thirteen Strings heralds passion, excitement, and lush string sounds with its “Glory of Strings” concert, showcasing the magnificent works of Johannes Brahms – String Sextet no 1 in B-flat major and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaïkovsky – String Sextet in D minor “Souvenir de Florence“, Op. 70 in the acoustically sublime setting of Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre on March 23rd at 7:30 pm. With guest conductor Jean-François Rivest at the helm, who makes a first return since his tenure as the chamber orchestra’s Music Director, it is certain to be an outstanding concert for strings aficionados.
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“Brahms’ Sextet in B-flat major was already judged to be “one of the most beautiful works by this young composer” after its initial performances in early 1861. It was popular with both public and press then as it does today.” (https://www.henle.de/us/String-Sextet-no.-1-B-flat-major-op.-18/HN-1082)

Tchaikovsky dedicated “Souvenir de Florence” to the St. Petersburg Chamber Music Society in response to his becoming an Honorary Member. The work, composed in 1890 in the traditional four-movement form, was titled "Souvenir de Florence" because the composer sketched one of the work's principal themes while visiting the Italian city. This sextet (the only one written) was also an offering to Tchaikovsky’s benefactress, Nadezhda von Meck.

Québec conductor Jean-François Rivest is renowned for his energy, his extremely precise technique, and his style, which is passionate, moving and deeply involved. Artistic Director of the prestigious chamber orchestra I Musici de Montréal, Rivest trained at the Conservatoire de Montréal and at the Juilliard School in New York, quickly established himself as one of the foremost Quebec violinists of his generation. His main teachers were Sonia Jelinkova, Ivan Galamian and Dorothy DeLay.

A concert glorifying the strings with two giant works – Passion, excitement, and lush sounds… And with a string orchestra, the effect will be magnified!”

Tickets are available at www.thirteenstrings.ca . Subscription packages still offered for this and the season’s two remaining concerts.