Wieniawski Obertass Op. 19 No. 1 for Violin and String Orchestra

Wieniawski's Obertass, Op. 19 No. 1 is a lively Polish mazurka that puts the full range of Grade 8 technique to work: rhythmically driven, physically demanding, and packed with the characteristic Wieniawski touches that make his music so satisfying to learn. This arrangement sets the original violin and piano version for solo violin and string orchestra, with a newly composed accompaniment.

The Obertass brings together what Paul describes as the full bag of tricks: left-hand pizzicato, chords and double stops, leaps up to harmonics, and throughout all of it, strong rhythmic bowing patterns that need to be precise and committed. These are all techniques a Grade 8 student should have in their toolkit, and this piece brings them together in a context that demands more than technical accuracy. Wieniawski's mazurka writing requires genuine flair and panache; it needs to feel spontaneous and characterful rather than carefully controlled, with the rhythmic drive and personality that Polish dance music demands. A performance that has the notes but lacks that commitment will fall flat; one that is technically secure and stylistically free will be genuinely exciting. That gap between the technically correct and the musically convincing is part of what makes this such an effective workout at Grade 8: it pushes a player not just to execute demanding techniques but to perform with real presence and personality. Once it is learned and performed well, it gives a young violinist a real sense of what it feels like to command a stage.

The string orchestra provides rhythmic energy and harmonic support throughout, matching the driven character of the solo writing.

At three minutes, the Obertass is a concentrated burst of energy. It pairs naturally with the Kujawiak as a contrasting companion piece from the same opus, the two together giving a complete picture of Wieniawski's Polish dance writing.

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 8 (solo); Intermediate–Advanced (ensemble)
• Duration: approximately 3 minutes
• Technical focus: left-hand pizzicato, chords and double stops, harmonics, rhythmic bowing, Polish mazurka style
• 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 is a strong choice for Grade 8 students who are technically ready and want a piece that consolidates a wide range of skills in a single concentrated workout. It suits school concerts and student recitals where something energetic, stylistically distinctive, and visually impressive is wanted, and works particularly well alongside the Kujawiak for a student or programme exploring Wieniawski's Polish dance writing.