Overview
Introduction
Tchaikovsky's Valse-Caprice in D major, for solo piano, Op. 4 (TH 126 ; ČW 103) was written towards the end of 1868 in Moscow.
Movements and Duration
There is one movement: A tempo rubato non troppo mosso (D major, 468 bars), lasting around 10 minutes in performance.
Composition
The Valse-Caprice was probably composed in October or November 1868, shortly before the Romance in F minor, Op. 5, since both works were written in the same copy-book.
Performances
The first performance was given by Anton Door at a recital in the Hall of the Nobles’ Club in Moscow, on 8/20 April 1869.
Publication
In December 1868 composer wrote to Modest Tchaikovsky: "In a few days two of my piano pieces will appear in print" [2]. One of these pieces was the Valse-Caprice, Op. 4, and the other was the Romance in F minor, Op. 5.
In 1946 the Valse-Caprice was included in volume 51Б of Tchaikovsky's Complete Collected Works, edited by Ivan Shishov.
Autographs
Tchaikovsky's manuscript score is now preserved in the Glinka National Museum Consortium of Musical Culture in Moscow (ф. 88, No. 106) [view].
Dedications
Tchaikovsky dedicated the Valse-Caprice to his fellow professor at the Moscow Conservatory, the virtuoso Austrian pianist Anton Door.
