Variations on a Theme by Rossini

Variations on a theme by Rossini
Composed by Frederic Chopin (1810-1849)
Edited by Ervin Monroe
Published by Little Piper
Includes score and parts

Instrumentation:
Solo Flute
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Alto Flute (or Flute 3)
Bass Flute (or Flute 4)

This arrangement for solo flute and flute choir is based on a work for flute and piano by the famous Polish composer and pianist Frederic Chopin. The theme is a pleasant melody, originally for voice, written by the beloved Italian opera composer, Gioacchino Antonio Rossini. The original score for flute and piano shows little resemblance to the majority of Chopin's other compositions, which nearly always require virtuoso piano skills. The original version employed a very simplistic accompaniment with all the technical demands placed on the flutist.

There is a story that Chopin had an acquaintance, an amateur flutist who insisted he compose a work for flute and piano that the two of them could perform together. Chopin finally responded with this set of variations on a theme by Rossini, as a joke of sorts. This story could explain the simplistic piano accompaniment that Chopin employed.