Tchaikovsky was a great admirer of Mozart and was very fond of Mozart’s Serenades — Eine kleine nachtmusik being perhaps Mozart’s most famous Serenade. Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings pays tribute to Mozart, however, it retains Tchaikovsky’s Romantic period sonorities and scope. The Finale uses Russian folk music as its main thematic material, as Tchaikovsky does so expertly. Students should use full and legato bows for the grand Maestoso opening, followed by light but energized short bows in the Allegro con spirito. Notes with no articulation marked should be played in a legato style.