“To dance is human, to polka is divine” K.D. Lang, Canadian Singer-Songwriter
If you think that the polka is originally a Polish dance, then you are way off! This popular dance is one of the cultural treasures of another small middle European country. If you would like to know more about the origins of this Czech dance, then browse our sheet music & scores, and explore all the marvellous Polkas Stretta has to offer!
It is no longer known exactly where and when the polka came to be, but from the early 19th century the predecessor of the polka, the “Nimra”, was becoming very popular. The next development was the “Maděra”, which was then renamed to the “Půlka”, which was later renamed the Polka.
The polka was already well known around Europe, and by the 1840s, and it had become one of the favourite dances in the courts of Vienna. Johann Strauss I was also fascinated by the polka in Prague, and subsequently composed several polkas himself. The polka was also very popular with the Czech composer Bedřich Smetana, who composed polkas for piano, and also used them in his symphonic and operatic works including Vltava and The Bartered Bride.
Like many other folk dances, the polka found its way into the ballets of the 19th century, in the form of the “Polka Hongroise” or “French Polka”, particularly in works by Léo Delibes. In Vienna the “Polka Schnell” or “Quick Polka” was also popular for a long time, often penned by Johann Strauss II.
One of the most famous polka melodies, which has travelled the world in many different versions, is Jaromír Vejvoda’s “Škoda lásky” known also as “Rosamunde” or “The Beer Barrel Polka”.
for: Symphonic orchestra
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 638193
for: Concert band
Single part Horn (E-flat) 1
Item no.: 771538
for: Concert band
Single part Trombone 1 (C)
Item no.: 771533
for: Accordion orchestra
Single part Accordion 2, 4
Item no.: 222441
for: Accordion orchestra
Single part Accordion 2
Item no.: 222234
Single part Bass instrument 1
Item no.: 328176
Polka schnell nach Motiven der Operette Die Fledermaus JSGA I/23/10op. 365
Diletto Musicale - Doblingers Reihe alter Musik
for: Symphonic orchestra
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 649688
Collection for young wind band
for: Youth concert band
Trombone 3 in C (orchestral part)
Item no.: 226505
Collection for young wind band
for: Youth concert band
Trombone 3 in B-flat (treble clef) (orchestral part)
Item no.: 226501
Collection for young wind band
for: Youth concert band
Horn 3 in E-flat (orchestral part)
Item no.: 216617
for: Accordion orchestra
Single part Accordion 1
Item no.: 260929
for: Symphonic orchestra
Single part Viola
Item no.: 638996
for: Concert band
Single part Oboe
Item no.: 771559
for: Concert band
Single part Bass clarinet (B-flat)
Item no.: 771557
for: Concert band
Single part Trumpet 2 (B-flat)
Item no.: 771554
for: Concert band
Single part Horn 2 (E-flat)
Item no.: 771537
for: Concert band
Part 3 in F (horn)
Item no.: 771536
for: Concert band
Single part voice
Item no.: 771529
for: Salon orchestra
Single part Viola
Item no.: 299052
for: Salon orchestra
Single part Violin 1
Item no.: 298964
for: Accordion orchestra
Single parts 1, 2 (Accordion)
Item no.: 222231
Polka mit Weihnachtsliedern für große Blasmusikbesetzung"
for: Concert band
Conductors part (C), Parts
Item no.: 1673051
Arbeitsbuch – Übungen – Lösungsteil
Spiralbindung
Work book (educational book)
Item no.: 180971