Music of the Czech Republic

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

Contents

[edit] Traditional and Classical

The traditional music of the Czech Republic has been well documented and influenced the work of composers like Leoš Janáček, Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, and Bohuslav Martinů. 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 Ethnographical Exhibition in Prague, which led to increased feelings of national pride and identity, and a resurgence in traditional music.

Undoubtedly the most internationally famous dance 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. Perhaps the most famous example is Škoda lásky (1927), from which the melody (but not the lyrics) of the Beer Barrel Polka are derived.

Bohemian traditional music is most innovative in Chodsko, where bagpipes are common. Moravian traditional music is best-known for the cimbalom, which is played in ensembles that also include double bass, clarinet and violins. The traditional music of the regions of Moravia displays foreign influences, especially in Valachia with its Romanian history and Lachia with its Polish aspects.

Prague was well 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 bands like Šlapeto. A more modernized urban 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 include brutal death, goregrind, black and similar styles of extreme metal.

The 1960s saw American bluegrass music gain wide popularity, and the first European 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.

[edit] Military Bands

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

Military band Olomouc

Military band Olomouc

Military band Olomouc

[edit] Pop & Pop Rock & Songwriter

[edit] Pop

[edit] Pop Rock

[edit] Songwriter

[edit] Funk


[edit] Rock & Metal & Punk

[edit] Rock

[edit] Punk Rock

[edit] Underground

[edit] Avantgarde


[edit] Alternative

[edit] Alternative

[edit] Electro


[edit] Jazz & Blues

[edit] Jazz


[edit] SKA & Reggae & Rap & R'n'B

[edit] SKA

  • Sto zvířat
  • Tleskač
  • Prague Ska Conspiracy

[edit] Reggae

  • Švihadlo
  • United Flavour

[edit] Rap

[edit] R'n'B


[edit] World Music

[edit] Traditional

[edit] Bluegrass

Music of Central Europe

Austria - Croatia - Czech Republic - Germany - Hungary - Liechtenstein - Poland - Slovakia - Slovenia - Serbia - Switzerland
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[edit] References

  • Download recording - "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
  • Plocek, Jiří (2000). "East Meets West", in Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.): World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East. London: Rough Guides, 49-57. ISBN 1-85828-636-0. 

[edit] External links

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