Before the Czech Republic was called Czechoslovakia, it was home to the Bohemians and other Slavic people. Although the borders have changed often, being a part of either Germany, Poland, Russia, or Austria-Hungary, the rich and joyful folk music and dances of the Czech people has remained intact.
Early Classical Folk Music of the Czech Republic
During the Dark Ages, Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire tried to suppress all forms of indigenous folk music throughout Europe. In Bohemia, folk music was such an integral part of life that it could never be eliminated completely. Over time, traveling musicians and town "pied pipers" of the Medieval Period enjoyed great popularity among the Slavs.
There were bloody conflicts during the wars between the Roman Catholic Church and the followers of John Huss, and again between the Catholic Church, the Lutherans and followers of Jean Calvin during the Protestant Reformation. Still the pride and joy of Bohemian culture prevailed. As the folk music of the Slavic region developed, it became identified with affection and humor. Sentiment has always run deep in Czech folk music. It has lyrical, "singable" melodies and follows song form beautifully.
Czech Folk Music and Czech Days
Czechs have always had a passion for dancing and singing. The dances are often named after the towns where they were first introduced. Folk dances such as the hulan and waltz-like sousedska are commonly performed, as are folk dances from nearby areas, such as the lindler from Austria. One does not have to travel to the Czech Republic to hear the joyful music from the area.
By far, the most familiar Czech folk dance is the polka, which is sung and danced on Czech days in every German biergarten and Czech-speaking community in the world. The polka is a major attraction in Czech tourism today. The polka is performed with accordians, clarinets, trumpets or French horns, sometimes bass or trap drums and almost always, a tuba.
Folk Music Listening Selections for the Music Appreciation Student
The classical music appreciation student who would like to develop an ear for the music of the Czech Republic has a large selection to choose from. To start, download "Hulan," a piano piece written by Bedrich Smetena based on the Bohemian folk dance of the same name. Dvorak composed more than one "Sousedska."
Music appreciation students may enjoy the third movement from Dvorak's "Czech Suite," Opus 39, then compare that piece to his delightful "Slavonic Dance No.6 in D Major," Opus 46 for piano duet. Practically all music students will recognize the familiar Czech song "Tekla Kelbetnika" as the famous "Beer Barrel Polka." Numerous polka cds are available for purchase. To leave music appreciation students with a grand taste of Czech folk heritage, download and listen to the music of Smetena's "The Bartered Bride Polka."
References:
Myczechrepublic.com, "The Great Moravian Empire and the Premyslid Dynasty"
Myczechrepublic.com, "The Hussite Era and George of Podebrady"
Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Sir George Grove and John Alexander Fuller-Maitland, ed. (R. and R. Clark Limited, Edinburgh),1980. p.573.
Faulkner, Anne Shaw. What We Hear in Music (Victor Talking Machine Company, Camden, New Jersey), 1928.
Donna Pravel - Donna Earnest Pravel is the owner and senior editor of www.Heart of Texas Copywriting Solutions.com.
Join the Conversation