Kreisler Sicilienne and Rigaudon for Violin and String Orchestra

Like his Praeludium and Allegro, Kreisler published the Sicilienne and Rigaudon as a rediscovered work by a Baroque composer, this time François Francoeur, and maintained the fiction for decades. The two dance movements that make up the piece are entirely his own, and the violin writing gives him away immediately to anyone who knows his style. This arrangement by Paul Wood sets the solo part against a string orchestra, expanding the original piano accompaniment into a warmer, more colourful texture that suits both movements well.

The two movements sit at around ABRSM Grade 7 to 8 standard, though where precisely depends partly on the tempo chosen for the Rigaudon. The Sicilienne comes first: a lilting, flowing melody in 6/8 time that asks for real beauty of shape and phrasing in the classic Kreisler salon style. This is not difficult music technically, but it needs a player who can sing a phrase and shape it with genuine elegance rather than simply playing the notes in time. The Rigaudon is a different matter altogether. Fast, driven, and built around left-hand speed and articulation, it includes some striking arpeggio figures and a few chromatic passages that will take some working out on first encounter. Once under the fingers, though, the piece is genuinely enjoyable to play and sounds considerably more demanding than it is. A Grade 7 player with a secure technique will manage it at a moderate tempo; at full speed it sits comfortably at Grade 8.

The string orchestra writing is straightforward and well within reach of an intermediate ensemble. The accompaniment is supportive and undemanding, leaving the soloist free to focus entirely on character and style.

At six minutes across two contrasting movements, the Sicilienne and Rigaudon makes a complete and satisfying solo vehicle. The contrast between the gentle lyricism of the first movement and the sparkling energy of the second gives the piece a natural shape that works well in a school or youth concert programme.

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: approximately ABRSM Grade 7–8 (solo, tempo-dependent); Intermediate (orchestra)
• Arranger: Paul Wood
• Duration: approximately 6 minutes
• Style focus: salon phrasing and lyricism (Sicilienne); left-hand speed, articulation, and arpeggios (Rigaudon)
• Format: PDF download, full score and all parts

This arrangement suits student solo features in school concerts and youth ensemble programmes where something with real character and stylistic variety is needed. It works well for Grade 7 to 8 violinists who are ready for a piece that sounds impressive without being beyond reach, and for teachers looking for repertoire that develops both lyrical playing and left-hand technique within a single, musically engaging work.