SKU: A0.844626

Vintage pop romance! This accompanied instrumental solo is a Theme and Variations. For the Theme I used an extract from the 1906 hit pop song I Love You Truly by Carrie Jacobs-Bond, a celebrated female composer at the turn of century.  
With each variation the melody and rhythm evolve further from the original Theme. The tempo also increases slightly as you progress to each new variation. The first variation adds chromatic embellishment, the second variation syncopates the rhythm, and the third variation uses triplet patterns. More life is added to your romance with each variation!
Each person who has heard this piece hears something different, but in all of them it conjures up vintage courting; and most say it would fit a soundtrack to an early silent movie. So, at heart, this piece is still a turn of the century love ballad, but livened up and fused with subtle influences from other styles and periods.  
Perfect for weddings where you are trying to please everyone; a bit pop, a bit classical, and totally romantic!
Works equally well in a classroom or lesson studying Theme and Variations. The easy-going melody only has a range of just over an octave. Its beauty and technique suits it for any recital as well.
6 minutes with repeats, 3 minutes without; 6 page score; 3 page solo part
Recording is of the Cello/Piano version and doesn't take the repeats.

SKU: A0.709958

SKU: A0.549763

Duration: ca. 3:15 Score: 10 pages, solo part: 2 pages, piano part: 4 pages. Tchaikovsky paints a very mysterious mood in this favorite masterpiece from the Nutcracker Suite. It is also a traditional Christmas favorite.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky is probably the most popular of the great composers in America. His music certainly appeals to musicians. Likewise, it appeals even to folks who don’t normally listen to serious music. This is probably because of his most noteworthy melodies. Above all, he writes with great emotion. This certainly makes a most noteworthy if not an unforgettable impact.

Education

First of all, He attended classes at the Russian Musical Society. Even more, He also attended the St. Petersburg Conservatory. There he studied music theory with Nikolai Zaremba. He also consequently studied composition with Anton Rubenstein. It seems like Rubenstein came under criticism from a group of Russian composers known as the Five.

The Five

The Five certainly rejected Western musical influences. They rather sought to use elements from Russian music. They furthermore wanted to use more exotic musical materials.

Western Techniques

More than other Russian composers, Tchaikovsky studied modern Western music. He certainly develops his music like the European masters. So, rather than repeating a motive, he moves to a new key. He then introduces a different theme in the new key. Hence, he maintained his independence from the Five. Even more, he became the first Russian composer of international stature.

Influences

Tchaikovsky was probably influenced in his ballet scoring by Léo Delibes. Richard Wagner influenced his symphonic writing. Tchaikovsky’s most famous works include the 1812 Overture, The Nutcracker Suite, and Swan Lake. Also famous are the Violin Concerto in D and the six symphonies. The greatest of the six symphonies may be No. 6, the Pathétique.

Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a

The Nutcracker Suite is a ballet that was performed for the first time in December 1892 in St. Petersburg. To begin with, the original ballet failed to attract a positive reception. However, the ballet suite became probably one of the most popular of all of Tchaikovsky’s works. The ballet suite became even more famous in the 1960s. It is now performed all over the world, particularly during the Christmas season.

SKU: A0.1005662

This particular sinfonia has been arranged for a number of instrumental combinations, but not this one.  It is the most interesting one of the sinfonia from a harmonic standpoint because of its highly chromatic treatment.  The Sinfonia (three-part inventions) of J. S. Bach were written as keyboard teaching pieces for his children. As such, most pianists whir through them at often blistering tempi, often obscuring the wonderful music contained therein.  This adaptation suggests a much more moderate tempo, and allows the timbre of the three instruments to differentiate the three voices and the wonderful counterpoint which makes up the piece.  This is a great recital piece or concert opener.

SKU: HX.303612