MUSIC OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Music in the Czech Republic has roots both in high-culture opera and symphony and in the folk music of Bohemia and Moravia. Cross-pollination and diversity are important aspects of Czech music: composers were often influenced by folk music; jazz and bluegrass music have become popular; pop music often consists of English language hits sung in Czech.

Traditional and Classical

The traditional music of the Czech Republic has been well documented in the work of composers like Leoš Janáček, Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, and Bohuslav Martinů, who utilized national sounds in their compositions.
Janáček made his recordings at an auspicious time. The 1880s saw the decline of traditional music. Janáček brought a Moravian string band to the 1895 National Czecho-Slavonic Ethnographical Exhibition in Prague, which led to increased feelings of national pride and identity, and a resurgence in traditional music.

Folk Music of Bohemia

Undoubtedly the most internationally famous form of Czech folk music is Bohemian polka. Polka is a dance in duple time that became popular across Europe in the 19th century and spread across the world, influencing music from Mexico to Japan. Modern Bohemian folk music is most innovative in Chodsko, where bagpipes are common.

Folk Music of Moravia

Moravian folk music is best-known for the cimbalom, which is played in ensembles that also include double bass, clarinet and violins. The folk music of the regions of Moravia displays foreign influences, especially in Valachia with its Romanian history and Lachia with its Polish aspects.
The 1960s saw American bluegrass music gain wide popularity, and the first European bluegrass festival was held in 1972 (the Annual Banjo Jamboree in Kopidlno). In 1964 and 1982, Pete Seeger toured the country, inspiring generations of Czech bluegrass and American-style folk musicians. Notable is the band Poutníci, whose early success helped perpetuate bluegrass music in the Czech Republic. Many former members of that band have recorded or toured with the band Druhá Tráva, which has brought Czech bluegrass to the modern world music stage.

Contemporary Czech Folk Music

Prague is known for its pub songs called Staropražské písničky (Old Prague Songs), which are influenced by Viennese schrammelmusik and other forms. These songs are still played by popular bands like Šlapeto. A more modernized urban folk music is called tramp music (''trampská hudba''). Tramp music has been popular since its invention as part of the Czech tramping movement that began when early 20th-century Czech city-dwellers began seeking physical and imaginative respite from the pressures of urban life.

Early Music Groups

Ars Rediviva was the first Czech chamber ensemble that specialized systematically in performance of Baroque music respecting historically informed practice. It was established in 1951 by flutist and musical scientist Milan Munclinger.

Pop Music

English-speaking visitors listening to Czech radio are surprised at the prevalence of familiar tunes, but with lyrics sung in Czech. These imported pop standards aside, rock and roll has taken over, often with influences and instrumentations taken from more traditional Czech styles.
Lately, the Czech Republic has been a breeding ground for punk, punk rock and metal bands, some of which are into brutal death, goregrind and similar styles of extreme metal.

Military Bands

Military band Olomouc and other military bands are part of the Czech Armed Forces

Samples

★ - "Tece voda, tece" Czech tune from the Library of Congress' ''Florida Folklife from the WPA Collections''; performed by Michael and Elizabeth Prácher on August 28, 1939 in Masaryktown, Florida

Today's Major Musical Groups

Avantgarde

★ Autopsia

References

★ World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, , Jiri, Plocek, Rough Guides, 2000, ISBN 1-85828-636-0

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MUSIC OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Traditional and Classical

Folk Music of Bohemia

Folk Music of Moravia

Contemporary Czech Folk Music

Early Music Groups

Pop Music

Military Bands

Samples

Today's Major Musical Groups

Avantgarde

Dance

Pop

Rock

Punk Rock

Poprock

Rap

RnB

Traditional

See also

References

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