Variations on a Rococo Theme

The Variations on a Rococo theme for violoncello and orchestra in A major Op.33 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was one of the pieces he was satisfied with most after he wrote it, and is a challenging piece for both the solo cellist and the orchestra.

Related Topics:
Violoncello - Orchestra - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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Written in 1876 for and with the help of the German cellist Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, it was actually somewhat revised and reordered by the dedicatee himself, but the composer allowed the changes to stand. Inspired by Mozart, Tchaikovsky's role model, it is a clear that Tchaikovsky admired the classical style very much, however one should note that the Thema is not Rococo in origin, but actually an original theme.

Related Topics:
1876 - Wilhelm Fitzenhagen - Rococo

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The variations are played without pause, except between the last slow movement and the finale, which is not actually set off by a thick double bar, but by a simple fermata over the last quarter rest. The difficulty of the piece lies in this seemingly innocent set-up. The soloist must learn eight totally different styles, and then play them all at once with no break, no time to stop and recollect himself.

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The piece is scored for pairs of basic woodwind instruments, two horns, and strings, and has a theme and seven variations.

Related Topics:
Woodwind - Horns - Strings

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Total Timing: Approx. 20:00

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