Strauss appended the words "Polka française" to the title of this work, though one will not necessarily hear anything particularly French in this music. It is a vigorous, colorful piece, however, from this supposedly lesser Strauss figure. Josef was not as prolific as his older brother, Johann II, and did not turn out nearly as many popular waltzes, but he demonstrated a deeper musical sense in many works with imaginative harmonies and melodic invention of great subtlety. This work, though, is light throughout and makes little attempt to achieve expressive depth. It features a joyous, bouncy theme and belled sonorities that combine to produce one of this composer's most buoyant, festive works. Lasting around three minutes, this piece begins in a playful, almost gentle manner, but swells to larger proportions as the bells punctuate strong beats and Strauss' deft scoring dresses the music in colorful instrumentation. Those bell strokes often hit with a measure of wit, as the composer occasionally has them strike a delightfully sour note. The last statement of the main theme is rollicking but outdone by the closing strokes on the bells and roaring gong. While this piece discloses no great subtleties, it will certainly offer strong appeal to those with an interest in light classical music.