Krazy Kat, A Jazz Pantomime for Piano

Original and Revised Versions

John Alden Carpenter, George Herriman, George Herriman, Howard Pollack

• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Year: 2013
• eBook ISBN: 9780486272603
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Jazz Music

This is the first single-volume publication of both the out-of-print original and revised versions of KrazyKat, a unique "jazz pantomime" for piano. Based on George Herriman's hugely influential newspaper comic strip that chronicled the adventures of a lovelorn feline, this comic production represents a landmark in American music. The seldom-staged work debuted in 1922 at New York City's Town Hall, and a 1940 revival employed the revised edition.
John Alden Carpenter's score abounds in lyric warmth, harmonic charm, and rhythmic vitality. He created this unusual theatrical work for a ballet company headed by a former Ballets Russes performer. Cartoonist Herriman designed the production's scenery and costumes, and he drew a series of madcap illustrations that are reproduced in this edition. Jazz lovers, collectors of rare music, and intermediate- to advanced-level pianists will want a copy of this facsimile publication, which features the composer's original Program Notes and an illuminating Introduction.

KRAZY KAT

A Jazz-Pantomime

The Music by
JOHN ALDEN CARPENTER

Scenario by GEORGE HERRIMAN

Staged by ADOLPH BOLM
Scenery and Costumes by GEORGE HERRIMAN

FIRST PERFORMANCE

THE TOWN HALL, NEW YORK

Friday Afternoon, January 20, and Saturday Evening, January 21, 1922

Krazy Kat………………Adolph Bolm

Officer Pup………………Ulysses Graham

Bill Postem………………Ledru Stiffler

Joe Stork………………Olin Howland

Ignatz Mouse………………Bella Kelmans

Conductor, GEORGES BARRÈRE

Costumes executed by Anne Neacy in the Russian Arts and Crafts Studio.

PROGRAM NOTES

“To those who have not mastered Mr. Herriman’s psychology it may be explained that Krazy Kat is the world’s greatest optimist—Don Quixote and Parsifal rolled into one. It is therefore possible for him to maintain constantly at white heat a passionate affair with Ignatz Mouse, in which the gender of each remains ever a delightful mystery. Ignatz, on the other hand, condenses in his sexless self all the cardinal vices. If Krazy blows beautiful bubbles, Ignatz shatters them; if he builds castles in Spain, Ignatz is there with the brick. In short, he is meaner than anything, and his complex is cats.

“After a few introductory bars the curtain is raised and Krazy is discovered asleep under a tree. Officer Pup passes, swinging his club. All is well. Then comes Bill Postem, a canine relative of Officer Pup, with his bucket and brush, and pastes upon the wall an announcement of the grand ball which will shortly be given for all the animals. The job finished, Bill departs.

“Krazy wakes up; he rubs his eyes and reads the exciting poster. He is moved to try his steps; he finds his feet heavy and numerous. Of a su...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Introduction
• Krazy Kat
• Back Cover