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Re: Rococo Variations (Allan Street)

On Fri, 9 Apr 1999, Robert Lynch wrote:

> Dear List,
> While hunting through my band's library, I came across this piece. I
> hope to try it at a regional competition in September. The band is at
> the higher end of D grade / 4th Section. Last year we managed a quite
> convincing performance of Himemoa (Gareth Wood).
> Questions: Was Rococo Variations ever set as a test piece in Britain? If
> so, when and for what section? What Tchaikovsky piece provides the
> Theme? Is the piece suitable for good D-grade, or are there any other
> suggestions?

It was the 2nd section area piece in Britain in 1995 (Wantage came 3rd
and got promoted) , but was originally set for the top section I think in
about 1960. Coincidentally this piece was on the radio in the original
(Tchaikovsky) form just before I went out earlier today. The original
title is also Rococo variations-I'm not sure why, there's nothing
especially rococo about it. It goes on for much longer-it's a cello
solo in the original surprisingly, although it did say that they were two
(original) versions, and that the one that they played was the 2nd
version. I think Allan Street's version actually has different
variations-I was listening out for several of them, and they never came!
So it may be that this is an original brass band work. 
In reply to the question of suitability, it would seem rather hard for an
ordinary 4th section band-I'd be especially worried about the long euph
solo-how many 4th section players can manage a convincingly lyrical top D?
Not many, judging by the wholesale avoidance of the optional one in Solemn
Melody last year at the areas. I am reliably informed that I was the only
one at the Midland areas to play it (Nyah!), and I have higher section
experience. Many bands even put the euph solo (up to top B) onto solo
horn. So, unless you have a really misgraded band there, I would doubt
that it would work. However, I'd love to be proved wrong:)

Dave Taylor
University of Warwick band
Rolls-Royce (Coventry) band

> 
> Looking forward to the replies,
> Robert Lynch, Conductor, Levin & Districts Brass, New Zealand.
> 
> 
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