This is one of Leroy Anderson's first postwar compositions, written shortly after his discharge from the military where he had served as an officer during the war. The fact that he could speak eight foreign languages prompted the Army to assign him a post in intelligence. While he had a strong predilection for languages, as a composer he may have had an equally passionate fondness for writing string music. Plink, Plank, Plunk!, Jazz Legato, Jazz Pizzicato, and this work, Fiddle-Faddle, were originally written for string orchestra and all clearly showcase the brilliance of the strings. Even in Fiddle-Faddle's full orchestral version, the strings are the dominant section in the scoring. The main theme scurries along, playful and excited, joyous and sunny, its energy seemingly boundless. The tune centers largely on three descending notes and is full of swirls and runs. The middle section begins with low, hesitant pizzicato strings, but soon the tempo picks up and, in the full orchestral version, the brass finally get their chance to beam some sunshine onto the musical landscape. The main theme returns with no loss of energy in the effervescent strings and the piece closes in a festive mood.

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