DOWNLOAD

TCHAIKOVSKY – Variations on a Rococo theme, Op.33 – SOLOIST AND 2 ACCOMPANYING CELLISTS (or accompanied by larger cello ensemble)

Other Identification:
The Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33, for cello and orchestra was the closest Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky ever came to writing a full concerto for cello and orchestra; at the very end of his life he was indeed seriously considering writing one!
Tchaikovsky wrote this piece for and with the help of Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, a German cellist and fellow-professor at the Moscow Conservatory. The dedicatee gave the premiere in Moscow on November 30, 1877, with Nikolai Rubinstein conducting. This was maybe the only hearing, or at least there were very few of them, of the Variations as Tchaikovsky originally wrote the piece until 1941 when the ‘original’ without Fitzenhagen’s changes was played in Moscow by Daniil Shafran. This story of “which is best” is certainly not clear-cut though. The style was inspired by Mozart and is an original theme by Tchaikovsky in the Rococo style. David Johnstone uses the ‘standard’ Fitzenhagen version for his cello ensemble version. I always felt that a small cello ensemble version with soloist would make a most interesting option for almost everyone of advanced levels, and we are talking of all three parts here and not only the soloist!

Movements or sections:
As generally is the case in my concerto re-orchestrations, my idea is for the cello soloist to gain much confidence in a performance setting, fully hearing the sustaining harmonies in a way in which a piano alone does not offer you. This is therefore much closer to a “concerto invitation”! I am happy to offer this version as a possibility.
Firstly, with an accompanying cello duet (two players) this transforms into a chamber symphonic work; alternatively, these other two parts can be played by a larger backing ensemble (in which case please always play divisi when opportunities arise!).
What I have basically done is to go half-way between using the piano reduction and the general orchestral score, checking lines frequently. The work is transcribed in FULL, and you will find that for both formal and informal performances this music will work perfectly.

Instrumentation:
CELLO SOLOIST AND TWO ACCOMPANYING CELLISTS. OR ACCOMPANIED BY A LARGER CELLO ENSEMBLE
….

6 PDFs:
1] – Cello Soloist – first half
2] – Accompanying Cello 1 – first half
3] – Accompanying Cello 2 – first half
4] – Cello Soloist – second half
5] – Accompanying Cello 1 – second half
6] – Accompanying Cello 2 – second half

Approximate difficulty:
Very difficult – EVERY part!

Go back to this section and continue searching for more music

Go to COLLECTION POINT to receive all selected items

Poster of Johnstone-Music

Who plays Johnstone-Music?

Johnstone Music has been performed by orchestras and conservatories worldwide, earning international recognition in cello repertoire.

Free sheet music

Instantly download a wide variety of scores – from cello solos and chamber works to orchestral parts and educational material