As many know, Johann Strauss II was a very prolific composer, producing a body of works whose opus numbers run up to 479. Compositions without opus numbers pushes his total to well over 500. He also wrote 17 operettas, mostly three-act works, that included such hits as Die Fledermaus (1874). His fifth operetta was Prinz Methusalem, from which this work, Banditen-Galop, was adapted. This delightful piece opens in a playful mood. Strauss' instrumentation is colorful and light, and spiced by much activity from the percussion battery. The main thematic material appears in two similar guises, the first having a three-note pattern that seems to bounce off of itself as it gaily goes about, and the second quite energetic but somewhat more angular in its cheer. The middle section features a carefree theme, a bit less lively, but just as joyous and festive. Each arm of the main material returns to close out this charming number. The Banditen-Galop is short, having a duration of about two-and-a-half minutes.

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