Peter Iljitsch Tschaikowsky

Concerto op. 35

The Concerto in D major, Op. 35 by Tchaikovsky is one of his most famous works and is appreciated by all violinists as a great example of virtuosity. Facing up to this challenge, which arises precisely from the strict idiomatic characteristics of the violin, and transferring this peculiarity to the flute is a real challenge for intrepid and courageous musicians. Numerous difficulties make this transfer difficult, but our transcriber has solved them with ease and the highest instrumental virtuosity. Incidentally, this challenge has already been mastered with the concertos by Mendelssohn and Beethoven, which are often played by flautists today. Tchaikovsky's work has more extreme virtuoso characteristics and requires outstanding and courageous flautists, of whom there is certainly no shortage today. Certain elements of gypsy and Slavic folklore, which are widespread and peculiar to the violin, have been effectively adapted and made idiomatic for the flute, as the famous flautist Franz Doppler had already largely done at the same historical time. It only remains to congratulate the transcriber on this remarkable work, which allows us to enjoy a great work of the Romantic period, which was so little creative for the flute. Mario Ancillotti