Kreisler Schon Rosmarin for Violin and String Orchestra

Kreisler: Schön Rosmarin for Violin and String Orchestra

Kreisler's Schön Rosmarin is two minutes of the composer at his most playful: a piece that is entirely about shape, colour, and bow character, in the unmistakably witty, elegant idiom he made his own. This arrangement sets the original violin and piano version for solo violin and string orchestra, with a newly composed orchestral accompaniment.

The technical demands are built around off-the-string bowing and up-bow staccato, and both need to be light, clean, and genuinely characterful. The piece doesn't work if the bow is too heavy or the articulation too cautious; it needs a buoyancy and spontaneity that only comes when the technique is fully secure. The middle section asks for something different: a lyrical and rhythmic quality that requires singing tone and rhythmic poise rather than sparkle and wit. Moving convincingly between these two characters, and capturing the Viennese sense of charm and slight irony that runs through all of Kreisler's writing, is the real task at hand. At Grade 7-8 the notes are well within reach of a prepared student, but the colour and style are where the work lies.

The string orchestra provides a light, supportive accompaniment that reflects the character of the solo writing throughout. The parts are undemanding and allow the ensemble to focus on matching the soloist's lightness of touch.

At two minutes, Schön Rosmarin is a natural encore or a programme opener: short enough to feel like a gift to the audience, and immediately engaging enough to set the tone for whatever follows.

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 Violin + String Orchestra (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
• Difficulty: ABRSM Grade 7-8 (solo); Intermediate–Advanced (ensemble)
• Duration: approximately 2 minutes
• Orchestration: newly composed string orchestra accompaniment based on the original piano part
• Format: PDF download, full score and all parts

Who it's for

This works well in school concerts and youth orchestra programmes where a short, characterful solo number is needed without the commitment of a longer work. It is also a natural encore at any level, and a good choice for a Grade 7-8 student who has the bow technique in place and is ready to work on style and musical personality.