Capriccio
Tchaikovsky wrote his Capriccio [1] in G-flat major, for solo piano, Op. 8 (TH 130 ; ČW 106), at the beginning of 1870 in Moscow.
Movements and Duration
There is one movement: Allegro giusto (G-flat major, 160 bars), lasting around 5 minutes in performance.
Composition
On 5/17 February 1870, Tchaikovsky wrote to his sister Aleksandra Davydova: "This winter I have been quite busy composing. Three days ago I sent two piano pieces to be printed, one of which is dedicated to you" [2]. The Valse-Scherzo (Op. 7) was dedicated to his sister, and the other piece was the Capriccio.
Publication
The Capriccio was published by Pyotr Jurgenson in April 1870. It was included in volume 51Б of Tchaikovsky's Complete Collected Works (1946), edited by Ivan Shishov.
Autographs
Tchaikovsky's manuscript score is now preserved in the Russian National Museum of Music in Moscow (ф. 88, No. 108) [view].
Recordings
- See: Discography
Dedications
The Capriccio is dedicated "à Mr Ch. Klindworth" — Karl Klindworth, Tchaikovsky's fellow professor at the Moscow Conservatory, a distinguished pianist and former student of Franz Liszt.
External Links
- Internet Music Score Library Project (IMSLP) — downloadable scores
Notes and References
- ↑ The original title on the autograph score was Capriccioso, which was subsequently altered to Capriccio by Pyotr Jurgenson.
- ↑ Letter 179 to Aleksandra Davydova, 5/17 February 1870.
