Vitali: Chaconne In G Minor, Violin & Piano/Peters

Category: Violin and Piano ** Title: Chaconne in G Minor ** Composer: Vitali, G. ** Edited by: Maxim Jacobsen ** Publisher: Peters Edition ** Difficulty: ASTA grade 5.

There is much debate over the exact origins of Tomaso Vitalis Chaconne (sometimes spelled as "Ciaccona"). Some sources claim that an 18th century manuscript exists, but that the piece we know today is much different, as the result of much editing and addition. Others believe that the work is a musical hoax, much like those of Fritz Kreisler, and that the whole piece was actually composed by the 19th century violinist Ferdinand David. In any case, it is a beautiful and moving example of the chaconne form - a set of variations over a repeating chord progression. It is also a virtuosic showpiece for the violinist, with many performers since the dawn of recording technology adding or subtracting variations at will. Jascha Heifetz adopted the piece in the early part of the 20th century, reopening it to a new generation of violinists.