Variations on a Theme of Corelli

Variations on a Theme of Corelli (Fritz Kreisler’s reputation as a violinist was built on an ability to play with immense virtuosity while retaining a grace and elegance and a wonderfully sweet tone. As a composer of short pieces he exploited these qualities in his own playing. Rather modestly, he usually hid behind a pseudonym as a composer, but his works were always exquisitely written for their purpose. One of these pieces, ascribed by Kreisler to Tartini, was used as a basis for a new piece for a present day virtuoso of the horn, Frank Lloyd. In fact, only the first variation is transcribed from Kriesler, the rest of the piece being newly written in a more idiomatic, if highly virtuosic horn style. Performance notes: Care must be taken to balance soloist and accompaniment at all times, especially when the horn has its more rapid movements. Some colla parte suggestions are made, but the performers may ignore these or make others as required. The accompaniment in Variation 2 must have character but make sure that the dynamic is light enough to allow the horn to heard clearly above it. If the horn soloist finds the slow variation too much for the stamina then make the cut from J to K. Be particularly careful not to obscure the horn when he joins in the recapitulation of the theme at O. Make sure that the final cadence doesn’t stop too soon.)