Derived from the Italian “Pulcinella,” Polichinelle is a French puppet character. A staple of French street theater since the late 1500s, he is known to be a vulgar prankster.
There is no vulgarity in Fritz Kreisler’s charming miniature for violin and piano, Polichinelle—only an undercurrent of scherzando mischief. Kreisler (1875-1962) wrote the piece, subtitled “Serenade,” in the United States in 1917. It comes two years before the Broadway opening of his operetta, Apple Blossoms.
This is the fun, frivolous popular music of the 19th century Vienna of Kreisler’s childhood. Listen closely to the harmony in the piano, and you will also hear nods to French Impressionism.
Fritz Kreisler and pianist Michael Raucheisen made this recording in 1930:
Recordings
Kreisler: Polichinelle, Fritz Kreisler, Michael Raucheisen Amazon
