Polka for piano, cornet, violin and doublebass by Isaac Strauss, on the musical theme of Maoz tsur, an emblematic prayer of Chanukah
This music score, entitled Hanouka, was composed by Isaac Strauss around 1851.
It is dedicated to Mademoiselle Rachel (1821-1858), a famous actress of the 19th century, who brought back to fashion classical tragedy, as opposed to romantic drama. Mademoiselle Rachel - her real name was Élisabeth-Rachel Félix - created a new model of actress and woman, among whom would later inspire Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) was later on inspired by.
Published in Paris, this sheet music of 7 pages was intended for a small ensemble (piano, cornet, violin and doublebass). It is a polka - a quite rapid double-metre dance music, in fashion during the 19th century - in which the main theme would feature the melody of the emblematic prayer of Chanukah : Maoz tsur.
Watch an excerpt of the polka Hanouka by Isaac Strauss performed by the Orchestre Eugénie (distribution: piano, violin, cornet, doublebass) :
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