TCHAIKOVSKY: Rococo Variation [CD de audio] Istvan Vardai, Pannon Philharmonic, Tchaikovsky and Tibor Boganyi

An ardent admirer of Mozart, Tchaikovsky's magnificent Variations on a Rococo Tema are filled with subtle homages to the classical composer. However, the theme itself is an original invention of Tchaikovsky rather than an excerpt from the past. Composed for the German cellist Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, the piece was not performed in its original form for many years after its initial composition, as Fitzenhagen had insisted on making changes to the structure and virtuoso cadenzas for its first performance, contrary to the Tchaikovsky's wishes. Both versions are included in this version, allowing the listener to fully appreciate the struggle between Tchaikovsky's classical vision and Fitzenhagen's desire for the cello to shine. The composer's love for Mozart is also evident in the Nocturne Op.19 No.4, one of six pieces initially composed for piano that displays the lyrical melodies and clear structure that Tchaikovsky sought to create. The folk-song-like Andante cantabile was one of the composer's most popular movements during his lifetime and, as was common, was often performed separately from the rest of the quartet. Together with Tchaikovsky's last piece for cello, the joyous Pezzo capriccioso, this album exemplifies the composer's innate understanding of the instrument and perfectly illustrates how he brings this understanding to life. This album features Hungarian cellist István Várdai, whose precocious talents led him to make his debut in The Hague at the age of just 13. Since then he has enjoyed a busy career, regularly performing at prestigious venues around the world and most recently winning the 63rd ARD International Music Competition in Munich. This version sees him accompanied by the Pannon Philharmonic, also from his native country, with young Finnish conductor Tibor Bogányi (also a cellist) at the helm, whose Nielsen and Heininen release in 2013 was described by Gramophone magazine as exquisite.