Puccini 'Crisantemi' performed by the Enso String Quartet

The Enso String Quartet performing Puccini's elegy for string quartet, Crisantemi ("Chrysanthemums"), that Puccini wrote in 1890 in a single night as a response to the death of the Duke of Savoy.

Maureen Nelson, violin
John Marcus, violin
Melissa Reardon, viola
Richard Belcher, cello

Filmed at the Teatro in the Italian Academy for Advance Studies at Columbia University.

DP: Richie Hawley/Little Frenchie Film House

[buffett]

I first heard this when driving, it was on the radio. I had to stop the car and just cry.

[gravy]

I can’t describe the feeling I get listening to this piece...Puccini put this together in one night after someone died and to see something so utterly outstanding and bone chillingly beautiful shows anything is possible.

[seanmcdonough]

A few years back, the Dayton Philharmonic played this for a cellist of theirs that had suddenly passed. It was the most beautiful tribute I could have imagined for her.

[englishrose]

Written in one night after hearing of the death of a a dear friend. So beautiful. 😢

[armandoterron]

As a 10 years old kid, I used to listen to this masterpiece every night back in the 50's, as it was the theme song of a dadio program in Havana's CMBF radio station. The most sublime music I have rvrt headr, together with The Humming Chorus... The genius od Puccini at his best...

[dannyliu]

Most expressive play of this Puccini quartet. I revisited it many times A most touching performance…

[janeboulton]

Sublime. Makes me cry, but then Puccini always does. Such emotion.

[RareguyUk]

Puccini is a musician’s dream to play. This is a beautiful example of the composer’s sense of drama, organic structure and timing. Exquisite performance too x

[stephencoleman]

The Duke of Savoy was king of Spain for a brief 3 years. He abdicated citing the Spanish people to be ungovernable. He returned to Italy and died in 1890, I found this piece because I live in Amadeo, Philippines, a municipality named in his honor. Life can suck for kings too.

[matiasnorenamuriel]

This is the most beautiful and sublime character piece written for string quartet in existence. Puccini manages to convey all his pain and grief into musical perfection. The B section has one of the most sensible melodies ever imagined.

[sportsaholic]

Most likely the most beautiful piece of music I will ever hear in my life.

[JohannesScheer-wp]

Thank you so much for playing this wonderful piece of music, giving me comfort to my greef of having lost my dear daughter Anita.

[circulartony]

Have listened to this so many times since hearing live a while back. Makes me cry everytime, rips your heart out!!!

[dannyliu]

Bravo! The best interpretation and most musical. I revisit their piece many times.

[Francesco_Speroni]

Fantastica esecuzione, davvero intensa e vibrante. Bravi!

[deborahlipsi]

Sublime, beautiful and passionate playing to match the music of the same! Bravo!

[andriesbartels]

Beautiful music interpreted sublimely. Thanks!

[lindsayaitkenhead]

Yes, it made me cry too. Lovely playing!

[HotRatsAndTheStooges]

Bravo. Incredibly rich performance. The fluidity and the collaboration between each musician is top notch. Masterfully played.

[mmineiro]

as many versions as there may be of this piece, i keep coming back to this one. wonderful playing, wonderful interpretation, there's nothing like feeling this piece !