Czech Polka Medley - WW 8

Czech Polka Medley

for Woodwind Octet with Optional  Drum Set and 2-Part Vocal

 

 

Adapted from a medley by J. Maršík arr. by  Joel Blahnik

 

 

Czech Polka Medley  — This is happy music to play, and calls for feet to move as folks listen, sing along, or dance.

 

Czech brass bands always included singers.  This medley of 5 popular Czech songs, retains the original Czech words, but adds an English version, paraphrased by Anita Smisek, from the original.  A Czech pronunciation guide is included for those wishing to sing it in the original language.

 

 

Performance Notes

 

Czech Polka Medley  is scored for a woodwind octet (Bb Clarinet 1-2 or Oboe 1-2, F Horn 1-2, Bassoon and Stumpfiddle and 2 Vocal Soloists (High tenor or Soprano and Baritone or Alto).  Within Czech Polka Medley  the major key changes are from F - C, and Eb - Ab - Eb.  

 

The singing is integral and should be rendered as a duet although solo voice would suffice.

 

Closely observe the tempo of  q =108 (no more than a q =116).  Tempo should not be rushed, rather, lay back and allow the music to ‘breathe.’  Accents and dynamics will shape the sound of these wonderful melodies.  Allow them to soar!  Don’t be timid—even over-do them a bit.  Above all, enjoy them and have fun!  Work for the contrasts between the conical and cylindrical brass.  Feel the music!  Move with it!

 

People love to dance a two-step and what is more fun than to dance a polka?  The polka was birthed in the Czech lands in the 19th century (as pulka).  Czech polka melodies are perhaps the most popular melodies in the world. The Beer Barrel Polka, whose original title was Škoda Láský (Tis a Pity, Love) was voted the most popular song of the 20th century.  What could be a better stage than this?  So, let's polka.

 

 

—jb  2007