Violin Channel: Julian Schwarz – 'Considerations for Preparing the Rococo Variations'

Violin Channel

The Violin Channel recently caught up with former Schoenfeld International Cello Competition and the Boulder International Art of Duo Chamber Music Competition 1st prize winner, American cello virtuoso Julian Schwarz.

In a VC exclusive guest blog, the 27-year-old soloist shares his top considerations for preparing Tchaikovsky’s virtuosic ‘Variations on a Rococo Theme’.

“Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme Op. 33 is a balletic minefield for cello and orchestra. 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. Just as traditional ballets include ‘variations’ for each lead role to showcase his/her most impressive leaps, twirls, and flourishes, the Rococo does the same, with the cellist playing almost every role!”

Read more of Julian’s considerations here.

Cellist Julian Schwarz performing the Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations with Camerata Chicago conducted by Drostan Hall on 29 April, 2016 at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago.