Having a horrible time trying to find an accompanist for son's violin exam, and the sticking point seems to be the 1933 Stravinsky/Dushkin Italian Suite violin/piano arrangement. All potential accompanists son's teacher has asked so far (and shown the music to) have refused, saying they are terrified of the Stravinsky. (Other choice is Grieg vln/pno sonata #2, which seems not to be so scary).

I'm terrified that if we don't find somebody soon, they won't have time to practice the terrible and scary Stravinsky!

Does anybody know this well enough to say why it's hard or scary? Is it technically difficult, or needs extra big hands? Or is it just unfamiliar territory for people because most competition and audition material is baroque and romantic music?

Pulcinella suite is probably his most "classical" piece in terms of what it actually sounds in the end! I don't know what the arrangement is like but harmonically and rhythmically there is nothing in the actual music itself that you wouldn't see in the romantic period work (Dvorak - especially his Slavonic Dances see as Pulcinella was actually a ballet - would be closest in style FOR THIS PIECE)

Thanks joolsters! I'd love to see that ballet...

Sounds as if it's more unfamiliarity rather than technical difficulty. Just have to keep trying, I guess...