Rudolf Friml (1879–1972) needs no introduction as composer of
Rose Marie,
The Vagabond King and other successful theatre shows. Educated at the Conservatory in his native Prague where he was a composition pupil of Dvorák, he became a fine pianist and, as such, accompanist to the violinist Jan Kubelík. After touring the United States with Kubelík in 1906 he remained there, appearing as soloist with major symphony orchestras before launching himself as composer of theatre and instrumental works. The principal melody of his
Chanson (1918) enjoyed popularity in two further forms. It reappeared in 1923 in a foxtrot version as
Chansonette, in which form it was included (along with MacDowell’s
To a Wild Rose) in the celebrated 1924 Paul Whiteman concert of ‘symphonic jazz’ at the Aeolian Hall in New York which introduced George Gershwin’s
Rhapsody in Blue. It finally reached its widest audience when Herbert Stothart arranged its melody into ‘The Donkey Serenade’ for the 1937 Hollywood film of Friml’s
The Firefly. Here we hear the original composition. Subtitled ‘In Love’ and described as a ‘mélodie’, it features a passionate central section in contrast to the familiar main theme. This recording uses the original orchestration by Adolf Minot.
from notes by Andrew Lamb © 1998
