One of the very few works of Jaromir Weinberger (1896-1967) ever performed or recorded, this delightful eight minute excerpt from the opera "Schwanda the Bagpiper" is a miniature gem and a fascinating story in its own right. In brief: Schwanda, a simple farmer, is enamored of Queen Iceheart and woos her behind his wife's back. When she confronts him with knowledge of this, he vigorously denies any such activity, pledging that the Devil should take him if he is lying. At this point, he instantly finds himself in Hell, and the bandit Babinsky, who persuaded him to pursue the Queen in the first place, descends into the nether regions to try and free him. Babinsky finds him and challenges the Devil to gamble for Schwanda's soul. Babinsky wins but the Devil attempts to renege on the bet, at which point Schwanda picks up his bagpipe and sets all Hell dancing with a great, glorious fugue. During the ensuing turmoil, Schwanda and Babinsky escape from Hell, Schwanda is reunited with his wife, and Babinsky continues his colorful life. In two parts, the work begins with an evocative polka which builds to a whirling climax. The fugue follows without pause, and is skillfully crafted and likewise builds to a huge climax which includes thunderous percussion and a pipe organ in performances and recordings in which one is available. The work is not sophisticated but is a delight as an orchestral showpiece and if cleanly recorded, makes a demonstration quality check for any music reproduction system.

© All Music Guide