Tchaikovsky's 'Variations On a Rococo Theme' Premiered in 1877

The 20-minute work is a much-loved standard in today's cello competition and concert repertoire

While composing 'Variations On a Rococo Theme', Tchaikovsky sought the help of German cellist Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, his Moscow Conservatory colleague, who also gave the premiere with conductor Nikolai Rubinstein.

The first performance took place at the third symphony concert of the Russian Musical Society in Moscow.

The rococo theme upon which Tchaikovsky based a charming series of variations scored for small orchestra and cello soloist was not borrowed, but the composer’s own, expertly fashioned in Mozartian classical style. The piece is scored for a reduced orchestra consisting of pairs of each of the four basic woodwind instruments, two horns, and the usual strings, like the typical late 18th-century orchestra without trumpets or percussion.

YO-YO MA | TCHAIKOVSKY | VARIATIONS ON A ROCOCO THEME | YURI TEMIRKANOV & THE ACADEMIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF THE LENINGRAD PHILHARMONIA (NOW THE ST. PETERSBURG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA)