Variations on a Young Violinist has the standard form of the classical "theme-and-variations" model. Yet it explores and modifies more than just the ubiquitous theme from Niccolò Paganini's 24th Caprice, which is stated at the opening. The work also illustrates the varying moods and mindsets of being a young musician, with anxiety, exuberance, melancholy, awe, frustration, hilarity, determination, and giddiness being just a few of the emotional textures that dictate the character of individual sections.

The strings state the theme with terse simplicity before giving way to the solo violin, which banters the melody about with double-stops and bravura swoops and dives. A dancey variation follows with rustling pizzicati supporting a pensive, expanding soliloquy. Rustle becomes bustle with a rhythmically ambiguous tear through the strings. A savage gesture segues to the next variation, alternately suspending and unleashing the nervous energy inherent in the theme. The solo violin now takes a lead role as Paganini's motive is twisted by a spooky, anguished waltz, exalted in a calm, heartfelt hymn, and saddled in a racing moto perpetuo. There is even a sassy, bluesy turn to the proceedings before the final elegy brings the work to bittersweet, reverent close.