Ede Poldini

Who was Ede Poldini?

Ede Poldini was a Hungarian composer of the late romantic / early modern period. Famous in Hungary for writing many operas, he became internationally famous when Fritz Kreisler transcribed his piano piece "La poupée valsante" for violin.

Poldini studied with István Tomka in Budapest and with Eusebius Mandyczewski in Vienna. In 1908 he settled in Switzerland, writing two of his more famous operas: The Vagabond and the Princess and Wedding in Carnival Time. These were both produced in London, the latter under the title Love Adrift. Himfy was produced in 1938 in Budapest.

Poldini is best known for his miniature piano pieces, such as "La poupée valsante", given wider audience in Fritz Kreisler's transcription, "Arlequinades", "Morceaux pittoresques", "Episodes à la cour", "Images", and "Moments musicaux". "Marionettes" were seven piano pieces that he later orchestrated.

He died in Vevey, Switzerland in 1957, aged 88.