Polka de W.R.
The Polka de W. R. (English often Polka de VR, first edition: Polka VR). has an approximately 4 - minute piano piece by Sergei Rachmaninoff, created on 11 Märzjul / 24 March 1911greg .. template of transcription is the Lachtäubchen Scherzpolka, op 303 by Franz Behr. Rachmaninov processing, together with works by Scriabin, Medtner, Taneyev, Catoire and Goedicke by Edition Russe de Musique, in the same year, published in June 1911 for the first time in a Nouvelle Collection de Musique in publishing Gutheil, Leipzig.
Franz Behr ( 1837-98 ) was a German composer especially of salon music for the piano, which is completely forgotten today. The Scherzpolka was the favorite piece of Rachmaninov's father Vasily (WR = Vassily Rachmaninoff, Eng. Vassily Rachmaninoff = VR) and it is likely that Rachmaninov assumed that it was an original work of the Father, there is no indication at Behr in the published editions. Only in the late 20th century Behr became known as the author generally.
Rachmaninov's virtuosic piano transcription set, omits Behrs original middle section is dedicated to Leopold Godowsky and was first performed on May 6, 1922 in the Queen's Hall in London by the composer publicly. Rachmaninoff kept the work after life in the repertoire and not played it less than four times a; it is thus beside the Prélude Op 3/2, the most frequently recorded of him working. The work enjoyed in the era of the last romantic virtuosos great popularity and was seen by many pianists, eg Vladimir Horowitz Shura Cherkassky or, often played as an encore.