Kreisler Schon Rosmarin for Cello and String Orchestra

Kreisler's Schön Rosmarin ("Beautiful Rosemary") is a short character piece from 1905 that captures the charm and wit of old Viennese style: a lilting, graceful miniature that sits at ABRSM Grade 7-8 and rewards playing that prioritises tone, phrasing, and musical character over technical display. This arrangement sets it for solo cello and string orchestra, giving the piece a warm ensemble texture to work within.

Originally written for violin, the melody sits naturally on the cello in the upper register, where the instrument's warmth gives the Viennese character a particular richness. At Grade 7-8, the solo demands are more about style and musicianship than mechanics: a flexible bow for the lilting triple metre, good control of dynamic shaping and rubato, and the ability to project a light, elegant character without losing tone quality. It's a useful piece for any advanced cellist working on phrasing and expressive playing outside the concerto repertoire.

The string orchestra part provides a transparent accompaniment that supports the solo line without adding rehearsal complexity.

As a short character piece, it works well as a concert encore, a lighter item in a recital programme, or a solo feature in a school or youth orchestra concert. The orchestral setting gives it a fuller concert presence than the piano original, and the Viennese character is immediately engaging for audiences.

See and hear the difference

Check the score and parts preview images above, then watch the complete score video below. They'll give you a clear picture of the engraving quality and overall difficulty before you buy.

Key features

• Instrumentation: Solo Cello and String Orchestra (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
• Difficulty: approximately ABRSM Grade 7-8
• Duration: 2 minutes
• Style focus: Viennese character, lyrical phrasing, bow flexibility, upper-register tone
• Format: PDF download, full score and all parts
• No performance licence required

Who it's for

Suits an advanced cellist looking for a short, stylish solo piece with ensemble support, and a school or youth orchestra wanting an audience-friendly solo feature that sits comfortably alongside more demanding repertoire. Works particularly well as a concert encore.