The launch of the St Petersburg Classics series. All of these recordings were made in the late 90s by Mazur Media in coproduction with Sony Classical but, with a few exceptions, they were never released. Technically, these productions were far ahead of their time. For Sony it was prestigious to demonstrate the best recording technology possible at that time. All these recordings were therefore produced in 24 bit /96 hz High Definition Technology, which is still the ultimate in technical feasibility. By means of special High-Performance filters the masters were converted into the common CD standard 16 bit /44,1 hz almost without loss. The result is even today convincing - brilliant sound and incredible transparency, which projects the purity of the instruments as well as the acoustic background in a very natural way.

With the exception of the Serenade for string orchestra, this compilation presents rarely performed works by Tchaikovsky and a real 'resurrective' piece of repertoire - Arensky's Variations on a Theme by Tchaikovsky.

This is an exceptional compilation for enthusiasts of string orchestras. The compilation enables a perfect insight into the creative workshop of Tchaikovsky, with detailed explanations in the booklet. Arensky, a student of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, chose the fifth song from Tchaikovsky's 'Songs for children' as theme for his variations. Initially it was conceived as the slow movement of his second string quartet, but it was arranged for string orchestra at a later date by Arensky himself.

Saulius Sondeckis is a graduate of the Musical College in Vilnius, where he studied violin. As his teacher was a pupil of David Oistrakh, Sondeckis himself might be called a 'musical grandson' of the famous Russian violinist. From 1963 he continued his education, studying conducting and sitting in on courses with Igor Markevich at the Moscow Conservatory, amongst others.

Sondeckis has appeared as guest conductor with many distinguished European orchestras and sits on the jury of a number of major international competitions. Since 1989 he has concentrated on building up the St Petersburg Camerata, which under his tutelage has gained a quite sensational reputation within a remarkably short time.