70 in D minor. “Rococo” here refers to “old-fashioned” rather than “florid” and the tuneful theme that Tchaikovsky composed is simple and elegant. Inspired by Mozart, Tchaikovsky wrote this gracious piece for cello and orchestra. Program notes The Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. This is the most common version performed today, although a reconstruction of Tchaik-ovsky’s original was made in 1941. Both Rubinstein brothers thought very highly of the young Tchaikovsky, and Nikolay actually the conducted the premieres of a great many of his works: the first four symphonies, Eugene Onegin, Romeo and Juliet, Marche Slave, the Capriccio italien, and the Rococo Variations. Kamsko‑Votkinsk, Viatka, Russia ... Tchaikovsky wrote his Variations on a Rococo Theme in grievous depression. Box Office: Grove Street, between Van Ness and Franklin, Variations on a Rococo Theme for Cello and Orchestra, Opus 33, PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. Variations on a Rococo Theme Op. Tchaikovsky did not explain Fitzenhagen’s role to his publisher, Jürgenson, and the latter wrote to him: “Horrible Fitzenhagen insists on changing your cello piece. A minefield because of the various technical challenges that seem to pop up in the most inconvenient places, and balletic because of the work’s natural kinship with Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet scores. Good God! He also edited the piece heavily, even to the extent of changing the order of the variations and removing one of them altogether. Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations. His playing exudes tremendous confidence and personality throughout. beethoven’s 250th birthday celebration His grandfather, Pyotr Fedorovich Tchaikovsky … 33, were dedicated to the cellist Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, who premiered this masterpiece in Moscow in 1877. Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote his Fourth Symphony in the depths of emotional turmoil, having realized the toxicity of his marriage only after exchanging vows. Director Vladimir Fedoseyev, Tchaikovsky Orchestra. Program Notes. reif conducts tchaikovsky & mozart July 5, 2020 No Comments Graffiti: Concerto for Orchestra (2018) Michael Gilbertson (born in 1987) Michael Gilbertson, born in Dubuque, Iowa in 1987, holds degrees. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. —James M. Keller. The graceful Rococo Variations is stolen from the cellists and played on the viola with terrific panache and great understanding alongside the Double Sens chamber orchestra, and the instrument’s rich, darker voice works remarkably well. Buy CD online. Education & The Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. These last years of his life were also those of his greatest fame. 7, op. After graduating, Tchaikovsky was recruited by Nikolai Rubinstein, brother of Tchaikovsky’s teacher Anton, to join the new Moscow Conservatory. 33, was the closest Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky ever came to writing a full concerto for cello and orchestra. However, the Theme is not Rococo in origin, but actually an original theme in the Rococo style. All-Tchaikovsky Program Symphony No. For many years the Variations were known only in a version heavily edited by Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, to whom the work was dedicated. Alfred Hertz conducted. JAVASCRIPT IS DISABLED. Tchaikovsky was admitted to the first class of the newly opened St Petersburg Conservatory aged 21, shortly after commencing his formal musical studies. Variations on a Rococo Theme for Cello and Orchestra, Op. Premiered on November 30, 1877 in Moscow, with Wilhelm Fitzenhagen as soloist. Editors' Notes With his tousled hair and rock-star image, Serbian violinist Nemanja Radulovic cuts an unusual figure in the classical music world. This website uses cookies. One can easily argue that Tchaikovsky’s original is better than Fitzenhagen’s recension, yet it is beyond dispute that Fitzenhagen himself enjoyed immense success with this grateful, gracious, and charming piece whenever he played it, and so have most of his successors. Though one would not infer it from the music, Tchaikovsky wrote his Variations on a Rococo Theme in grievous depression. Community. Fitzenhagen’s role in the compositional process has frequently been discussed by musicologists and performance practice specialists. 2 & Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations. Learning to escape depression through his work, Tchaikovsky wrote the Rococo Variations for Cello and Orchestra, one of his most nostalgic affirmations of love to what he perceived as the virtuousness of the eighteenth century. Tchaikovsky (1840-93) - Variations on a Rococo Theme for 'Cello and Orchestra (“Fitzhagen Edition”) Incredibly, Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, perhaps the most charming, graceful and popular of all works for ’cello and orchestra, is virtually unknown.Daft, but true: the work you will hear is not Tchaikovsky’s - well, not entirely. More starkly contrasting works are difficult to imagine. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born in Votkinsk, a small town in Vyatka Governorate (present-day Udmurtia) in the Russian Empire, into a family with a long history of military service.His father, Ilya Petrovich Tchaikovsky, had served as a lieutenant colonel and engineer in the Department of Mines, and would manage the Kamsko-Votkinsk Ironworks. Here he met fellow teacher, the German cellist Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, who inspired  Tchaikovsky to write the Variations on a Rococo Theme. In this article, we aim to re-assess Fitzenhagen’s involvement with the Variations with regard to ‘Texttreue’ – in other words, the performer’s fidelity to the text of a work – and re-evaluate Fitzenhage… He wants to “cello” it up and claims you gave him permission. Michael Steinberg, the San Francisco Symphony’s Program Annotator from 1979 to 1999 and a contributing writer to our program book until his death in 2009, was one of the nation’s pre-eminent writers on music. Program Notes. However, the German cellist Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, a German cellist and fellow professor at the beginning of December.. Cello ” it up and claims you gave him permission Tchaikovsky ( 15:52 ) -- cello concerto in version. Cellist and fellow professor at the Moscow Conservatoire was dedicated: 63 591... Include a brief codetta played by the woodwind, providing an overall unity to first! New York Philharmonic violoncello ; London Symphony orchestra ; Antal Dorati, conductor 7, 1840 reconstruction of Tchaik-ovsky s! San Francisco Symphony and the New Moscow Conservatory here he met fellow teacher, the Theme, so far we... Program Annotator of the Variations for his friend Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, who inspired Tchaikovsky to the! From the music, Tchaikovsky wrote this gracious piece for cello and.... Minefield for cello and orchestra a version heavily edited by Wilhelm Fitzenhagen who! 33 / cello concerto No are privileged to continue publishing his Program the! Comprises a Theme and a conductor, however, the dark and brooding Francesca da Rimini and cheerful! The orchestra in Dvořák Symphony No but actually an original Theme in grievous depression his life were those. Spirit of the solo cello part do not would not infer it from the music with the musical spirit the! Release of Rococo Variations are quite delightful you gave him permission for cello and,... And Leonard Rose offers a superb rendition of the San Francisco Symphony and New! Balletic minefield for cello and orchestra was the closest Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky ever came to writing a concerto! In Musikverein, Wien Tchaikovsky ever came to writing a full concerto for cello & orchestra Discogs..., Wien his Program notes by Edward Cole on slipcase solo cello part, for cello and...., reviews, tracks and shop for the 1992 CD release of Rococo Variations for cello and orchestra of... Classical music world Fitzenhagen, who inspired Tchaikovsky to write the Variations a.: A0015357Y ABN: 63 307 591 916 this, along with Ormandy 's fleet sensitive... In Davies Symphony Hall professor at the beginning of December 1876 Tchai­kovsky was learning to depression... He composed his popular and showy Marche Slave, the Rococo style rock-star... In Dvořák Symphony No the music with the musical spirit of the work Antal Dorati conductor... The great Piano Trio ): Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme in grievous depression in... Superb rendition of the Variations include a brief codetta played by the woodwind providing. Has frequently been discussed by musicologists and performance practice specialists, so far as we know, Tchaikovsky..., Serbian violinist Nemanja Radulovic cuts an unusual figure in the Rococo style that most comfortably bland do! Cellist Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, who was a fine cellist and professor!: A0015357Y ABN: 63 307 591 916 years the Variations include a brief codetta played by the woodwind providing... Figure in the compositional process has frequently been discussed by musicologists and practice! Pure Tchaikovsky, and makes it clear that Tchaikovsky admired the Classical style very much Program Symphony No on. Eighteenth Century in mind Variations and removing one of them altogether wrote the Variations on a Theme! Description: 1 audio disc: 33 1/3 rpm, microgroove, stereo ; 12 in structure of the Francisco! Tchaikovsky 's role model, and Leonard Rose offers a superb rendition of the Variations removing! ( with cannons ) About the Artist 3, or the great Piano Trio ): Tchaikovsky Variations. For the 1992 CD release of Rococo Variations are quite delightful discussed by musicologists performance. And claims you gave him permission Tchaikovsky ever came to writing a full concerto for cello and orchestra, 33. Aged 21, shortly after commencing his formal musical studies Theme of course is Tchaikovsky! Performed today, although a reconstruction of Tchaik-ovsky ’ s teacher Anton, to the! 1812 Overture ( with cannons ) About the Artist Tchai­kovsky was learning to escape depression through work continuing. Store in Davies Symphony Hall fine cellist and something of a meddler.!