Valse Scherzo, Op. 34 Cover Image

Valse Scherzo, Op. 34: Full Orchestra, Solo Strings with Ensemble, Solo Violin

$5.00 USD
$5.00 USD
Skip to product information
Valse Scherzo, Op. 34 Cover Image
Valse Scherzo, Op. 34: Full Orchestra, Solo Strings with Ensemble, Solo Violin

Valse Scherzo, Op. 34: Full Orchestra, Solo Strings with Ensemble, Solo Violin

By Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky

Item: 36-A304648
$5.00
Shipped

One moment…

Related Items

Valse Scherzo, Op. 34: Full Orchestra, Solo Strings with Ensemble, Conductor Score

$20.00
View

Valse Scherzo, Op. 34: Full Orchestra, Solo Strings with Ensemble, Conductor Score & Parts

$50.00
View
Description
Probably composed in the early months of 1877, the VALSE SCHERZO, OP. 34, occupies an important position in the oeuvre of Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) as it prepared him to begin work on the Violin Concerto in D the following year. Swept into a whirlwind romance with violinist Iosif Kotek, to whom he dedicated the work, he found the impetus to write it after the former student showed him the score of Édouard Lalo's Symphony Espagnole. It premiered at Trocadero Hall in Paris on September 21, 1878, with Nikolai Rubinstein conducting and Stanislaw Barcewicz as the soloist. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 2.0.0.0: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Solo Violin.

Valse Scherzo, Op. 34: Full Orchestra, Solo Strings with Ensemble, Solo Violin isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Pages

No sample pages found.
Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series: Kalmus Orchestra Library
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 8-89-270544-X
ISBN13: 979-8-89-270544-8
UPC: 659359921216
SKU: 36-A304648
Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 2.0.0.0: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Solo Violin

More about this title

About the Composer: Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky

Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) was a Russian composer whose works bridged Romantic nationalism and European symphonic tradition. His facility with orchestration and gift for memorable melody made him one of the most performed composers of the nineteenth century, and his influence on both Russian and Western concert music remains profound.

Tchaikovsky's violin writing was shaped by his relationships with virtuosos of his time, most notably Iosif Kotek, to whom he dedicated the Valse Scherzo. This work emerged during a particularly fertile compositional period and directly informed his approach to the Violin Concerto in D, completed the following year. His orchestrations demonstrate precise knowledge of instrumental capabilities paired with dramatic sensibility.

Why we love this

The Valse Scherzo sits at a fascinating crossroads between salon brilliance and symphonic substance. Tchaikovsky's orchestration balances transparent textures that showcase the solo violin with full harmonic support, making it accessible for orchestras that can field a strong concertmaster while remaining musically rewarding at every sectional level. It offers a direct historical connection to the Violin Concerto without the scale or rehearsal demands of that masterwork.

What to expect

Buoyant and graceful, the Valse Scherzo captures the charm of a Russian salon waltz without sacrificing orchestral sophistication. The solo violin dances above warm, gently rocking string textures, creating an atmosphere that is elegant yet slightly mischievous. Moments of orchestral swells and key shifts add dramatic interest without overwhelming the work's essential lightness and charm.

Who it's for

Orchestras with advanced string sections and an accomplished concertmaster or guest soloist seeking a substantial yet manageable violin showcase. This work demands secure ensemble discipline and mature string playing but rewards both soloists and ensemble musicians with music of genuine character.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the solo violin with the ensemble through strategic dynamic control in the accompanying strings; the melody should soar without drowning out essential harmonic movement in the violins and violas.
  • Shape the waltz rhythm with subtle elasticity rather than mechanical regularity. Tchaikovsky's "scherzo" designation hints at playfulness; allow the phrasing to breathe and occasionally accelerate gently through climactic passages.
  • Secure the woodwind doublings (flutes and oboes) well in advance of rehearsals with the soloist. These instruments provide crucial harmonic color and must sit precisely with the strings to support the solo line.
  • Conduct with clarity through meter changes and key shifts. The form is direct, but Tchaikovsky modulates strategically; clear stick work prevents ensemble confusion during transitions.

How to use it

Program this as a solo violin feature within a Tchaikovsky-focused concert, pairing it with larger symphonic works or ballet excerpts. Its length and moderate difficulty make it effective as an opening work or as a bridge between more demanding pieces. It works particularly well on chamber orchestra or pops-style programs where it can serve as the centerpiece of a virtuosic soloists' showcase.

Skills your students will build

  • Accompanying a solo instrumental line with clear harmonic support
  • Balancing transparency with fullness in orchestral texture
  • Precision in waltz rhythm and metric security
  • Coordination of multiple woodwind doublings with string foundation
  • Responding to a soloist's phrasing and interpretive choices

You May Also Like