Mazury Rhapsody

The "Mazury Rhapsody" is a Polish rhapsody by Alfred Bösendorfer and its introduction is therefore determined by the polonaise, Poland's national dance. A sentimental, Slavic-sounding violin theme leads into a Rubato dance. After that the music changes its character, becomes faster. It is a gallop, with which the voivode riders are to be represented. Now follows an elegant mazurka. By the way, it was the music of this dance that gave the Rhapsody its name. From a distance you can hear the sound of bells and singing. This impression in turn leads to a local folk song. Once again the voivode riders storm along and the rhapsody finally picks up the polonaise sounds of the beginning.

On the one hand, it should come as no surprise if the rhapsody is reminiscent of the music of Johann Strauss II, but on the other hand it is determined by Polish national dances such as Mazurka, Polka, Polka-Mazurka, Polonaise and other Slavic themes. It is precisely these dances, however, which must be emphasized here, that have been an essential source of inspiration for the composer, since here and in comparable works he is concerned with capturing the essence and nature of different peoples and countries musically.