Debussy & Tchaikovsky: Works for Strings

Debussy and Tchaikovsky share a central essence yet face in opposite directions. Tchaikovsky is devoted to Mozart and European Classical traditions whilst Debussy with his love of the music of Bali, points us all towards a more inclusive human brotherhood. The essential musical language they speak however is very similar, the language of melody. My role as I see it, is not only to recreate, enhance and give new life to the composers intentions, it is also to somehow get inside of the mind and consciousness the composer himself. Not unlike how a great actor must somehow become the character he portrays, I feel like a completely different person conducting Debussy than I do conducting Tchaikovsky. Playing Debussys groundbreaking Quartet in the version for string orchestra is probably something which Debussy himself would have considered impossible. (Most contemporary orchestral players would probably agree with this asserton.. But for me, this somewhat radical idea is appropriate for a work by this revolutionary composer and I am convinced that he would have loved it! The Serenade for Strings is the epitome of musical inspiration. Tchaikovskys love for the old forms and his worship of Mozart are abundantly obvious here. Embodying Tchaikovskys ideal of integrating transcendent Classicism with the sensual and emotional aspects of his temperament is my goal when conducting all works by Tchaikovsky.