Vitali Chaconne in G minor for Violin and String Orchestra

The Chaconne in G minor attributed to Tomaso Antonio Vitali, in Léopold Charlier's 1911 version, arranged so a violinist can perform it with string orchestra rather than piano. The solo part is Charlier's, note for note.

That matters because the Chaconne exists in more than one form. Ferdinand David's edition of 1867 and Ottorino Respighi's 1911 setting for violin, organ and strings both differ from Charlier in the solo line and in the structure of the piece. Charlier made the violin part considerably harder and reordered the variations so that they grow more complex as the piece goes on, which gives the Chaconne its long climb to the final pages. If you have learnt the Charlier edition, from the Breitkopf print or Leopold Auer's edition for Carl Fischer, this orchestral version fits the part you already know.

The string writing takes Charlier's piano part as its basis, with Respighi's setting as a guide to the orchestral texture. The accompaniment is for first and second violins, violas, cellos and double basses, with no organ or wind needed.

At about 8 minutes, the Chaconne works as a concert opener or as the centrepiece of a first half. Jascha Heifetz chose it to open his Carnegie Hall debut on 27 October 1917.

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 and String Orchestra (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
• Difficulty: Diploma to professional level
• Duration: approximately 8 minutes
• Style focus: Charlier's solo part unchanged, with variations over a repeated bass that build in difficulty to the end
• Format: PDF download, full score and all parts

Violinists preparing a diploma recital such as DipABRSM or LRSM, conservatoire students with a concerto slot, and soloists working with a chamber orchestra or a strong youth or amateur string section. No performance licence is needed, and permission to record is included.