Rococovariaties

Discover the Rococo Variations for Cello and Orchestra by Tchaikovsky. Where most cello concertos allow the soloist some rest in the tutti orchestral parts, in this concerto the soloist has to play on a theme with eight variations. 

Tchaikovsky composed the variations for the German cellist and his colleague at the Moscow Conservatory, Wilhelm Fitzenhagen. The premiere took place in 1877. The theme on which the variations are based is in the Rococo style. This period in music history is characterized by intimate chamber music with refined ornamentation. The Rococo Variations is composed for a small chamber orchestra, typical for this period in the eighteenth century.

Something of Mozart can also be heard in the composition, Tchaikovsky's role model, who in musical history heralded the classical period. In the variations, Tchaikovsky makes very refined use of the structures that Mozart also used in similar works.

Enjoy listening!

image: Antonio Zoppi (1860–1926) 'Rococo music scene'