I. Moderato e semplice - Allegro non troppo ma con fuoco

In his epoch-making Tchaikovsky biography David Brown points out that this quartet, especially the first and third movements, show a striking affinity with Schubert and, at least on casual listening, could be taken for the work of the Viennese master. It is the second movement, Andante cantabile, which gave the work its worldwide fame and a popularity with the public at large that is rare for a piece of chamber music. Outstanding: BBC Music Magazine.