Tchaikovsky - Variations on a Rococo Theme (Urtext Edition, Orchestra Parts)

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–93) remains one of the most famous Russian composers of the Romantic era. His Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33, reflect his lifelong admiration for Mozart’s music. The work also bears a striking resemblance to Franz Danzi’s variations on Mozart’s “Là ci darem la mano” from Don Giovanni, which Danzi used as the finale of his Cello Concerto No. 1 in A major, the same key as Tchaikovsky’s Variations.

The work began as a piano score in Tchaikovsky’s hand in late 1876 or early 1877. Composed for the cellist Wilhelm, or Guillaume, Fitzenhagen, it naturally benefited from Fitzenhagen’s help in making the solo writing more idiomatic for the instrument. Fitzenhagen made corrections to the piano score, which Tchaikovsky then orchestrated. The manuscript of the orchestration in Tchaikovsky’s hand reflects Fitzenhagen’s suggestions. The cello part in the orchestral score is almost entirely in Fitzenhagen’s hand, but this is not unusual; the orchestral score of Tchaikovsky’s Pezzo capriccioso similarly contains the cello part in the hand of Anatoly Brandukov, that work’s dedicatee.

These urtext orchestra parts present Tchaikovsky’s original eight-variation version of the work, reflecting the manuscript sources without relying on Victor Kubatsky’s mid-twentieth-century reconstruction, which was pursued through questionable methods with the help of a criminologist. Tchaikovsky’s tempo-marking spelling errors have been corrected without comment. Editorial marks are indicated with brackets and dashed lines. The sources were graciously provided by the Russian National Museum of Music in Moscow.

This edition includes the orchestra parts for the original eight-variation version. The full orchestral score is sold separately: https://yuriyleonovich.com/product/759743-tchaikovsky-variations-on-a-rococo-theme-urtext-edition-orchestra-score

The piano score and solo cello parts are sold separately: https://yuriyleonovich.com/product/717869-tchaikovsky-variations-on-a-rococo-theme-urtext-edition-piano

Essential repertoire for advanced and professional cellists, conductors, and orchestras, the Variations on a Rococo Theme are well suited for serious study, auditions, competitions, and concerto performance.

ASTA level: 6