Camille Saint-Saëns

Introduction et Rondo capriccioso for violin and piano

The "Introduction et Rondo capriccioso" by Camille Saint-Saëns is often used as a substitute for etudes, but is a profound character piece. Cantilenas with designations such as "Andante malincolico" = melancholic/ melancholy/ wistful andante or "con morbidezza" = with softness/ gentleness/ tenderness/ suppleness are perfect for the cello - and the virtuoso passages are very easy to play with a few small tricks or minimal simplifications.
The key remains the same in this arrangement as in the original - on the one hand, this makes it easier to play with piano or orchestra; and on the other hand, we have an optimal tonal position for the cello (one octave lower than for violin). In some passages, e.g. repeats, the cello part is two octaves lower than in the original, as a tonal variation and in order to fill out the entire range of the cello down to low C. In a few places, difficult passages have been slightly toned down, especially where accompanying figures are concerned.