Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born in Kamsko-Votkinsk, Russia, on May 7, 1840, and died in St. Petersburg, Russia, on November 6, 1893. The first performance of the Variations on a Rococo Theme took place in Moscow, Russia, on November 30, 1877, with Wilhelm Fitzenhagen as soloist, and Nikolay Rubinstein conducting. In addition to the solo cello, the Variations on a Rococo Theme are scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, and strings. Approximate performance time is eighteen minutes.

Tchaikovsky composed his Variations on a Rococo Theme for his colleague at the Moscow Conservatory, German cellist Wilhelm Fitzenhagen. Tchaikovsky dedicated the score to Fitzenhagen, who appeared as soloist in the November 30, 1877, Moscow premiere, conducted by Nikolay Rubinstein.

Fitzenhagen made numerous revisions to the solo part as conceived by Tchaikovsky. He also modified Tchaikovsky’s order of the variations and even cut the eighth (and final) variation. Needless to say, Tchaikovsky was far from pleased. Still, Fitzenhagen’s version of the Rococo Variations remains the one most frequently performed.

Tchaikovsky was unstinting in his praise for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whom he called, “the greatest of all composers.” Tchaikovsky fervently believed that Mozart achieved “the highest, most perfect culmination ever attained by beauty in the realm of music.” In the Rococo Variations, Tchaikovsky employs a theme (of his own composition) that harks back to Mozart’s era. The instrumentation, too, recalls an ensemble of Mozart’s time. Still, the work is far from a rehash of an 18^th-century composition. Rather, it offers a charming fusion of eras and styles, with Tchaikovsky’s sublime lyrical gifts and mastery of orchestration gracing every bar.

The Rococo Variations open with an orchestral prelude (Moderato quasi Andante). The soloist then presents the central “Rococo” theme (Thema. Moderato semplice). A series of seven variations on that theme ensues:

Var. I. Tempo del Thema

Var. II. Tempo del Thema

Var. III. Andante sostenuto

Var. IV. Andante grazioso

Var. V. Allegro moderato

Var. VI. Andante

Var. VII. e Coda. Allegro vivo

Program notes by Ken Meltzer