The Praeludium and Allegro, composed by Fritz Kreisler during his long and prestigious career is considered one of the great standards of violin music. The Kreisler Praeludium and Allegro was one of the many violin pieces the composer attributed to lesser known composers of the 18th Century, even though they were Kreisler’s own works.
This particular violin composition was originally attributed to Pugnani, and is often interpreted as a very Romantic homage to a Baroque Italian virtuoso. The Praeludium and Allegro along with the many other works for which Kreisler did not originally take credit have, since their introduction, become a permanent part of highly respected violin repertoire.
Critics felt that the composer intended to surprise the music world because of the dramatic way he confessed the hoax that he had played for over 30 years by ascribing many of his most popular works to early composers.
For me, this music is very enjoyable, particularly when presented by a world-class violinist such as Gil Shaham:
