“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
Score (with critical report)
Item no.: 684824
for: Diatonic accordion
Music book (notes and tablature), online audio (app)
Item no.: 457247
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 104022
for: 4 Blockflöten (SSAA) und Klavier
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 355208
for: Combo
Item no.: 361920
for: Accordion
Music score
Item no.: 102367
for: Accordion
Item no.: 102242
for: 2 violins, viola, cello; double bass ad lib.
Score, part
Item no.: 365385
for: Trombone, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 130007
for: Flute, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1299130
for: Tuba (B-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1298753
for: Flute, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1286586
for: Bass trombone, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1286581
for: Tuba (E-flat), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1286578
for: Violin, piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 1286576
for: 3 cornets, brass band
Sheet music
Item no.: 595088
for: Alphorn (F), piano
Sheet music
Item no.: 599578
for: 4 brass instruments
Sheet music
Item no.: 597964
for: 2 Alphorns in Gb & Brass Band
Sheet music
Item no.: 595938
for: Brass band
Sheet music
Item no.: 595691
for: Brass band
Sheet music
Item no.: 592741
for: Symphonic orchestra
Score
Item no.: 637428
for: 4 bassoons
Sheet music
Item no.: 1310091
for: 4 bassoons
Sheet music
Item no.: 1310057
for: 4 cellos
Sheet music
Item no.: 1310003
for: 4 alto saxophones, piano [keyboard]
Sheet music
Item no.: 1313561
for: 3 flutes, piano [keyboard]
Piano score, parts
Item no.: 1312842
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1198610
for: 4 clarinets
Sheet music
Item no.: 1254393
for: Orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 289043
for: 4 trombones (quartet)
Sheet music
Item no.: 1253840
for: 4 euphoniums
Sheet music
Item no.: 1253794
for: Accordion
Music score
Item no.: 261635
Version Bb - Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Clarinet
for: 2 trumpets [flugelhorns/ tenorhorns/ clarinets]
Ensemble score
Item no.: 817762
for: Ukulele
Music score (with TABs), Audio-CD
Item no.: 692551
Solopolka
for: Trumpet, concert band
Score, Conductors part (C), Parts
Item no.: 1672113
Polka
for: Concert band
Score, Conductors part (C), Parts
Item no.: 1683218
Solo für Alphorn für kleine Besetzung
Edition Blasmusik vom "Kleinsten"
for: Alphorn (solo), 3 trumpets, baritone, tuba, percussion
Conductors part (C), Parts
Item no.: 1673068
(Jany Polka)
for: Concert band
Conductors part (C), Parts
Item no.: 1684806
Polka mit Text des Alpenlandquintetts
for: Concert band; voice ad lib.
Conductors part (C), Parts
Item no.: 1690482
Polka als Solo für 3 Trompeten
for: 3 trumpets, concert band
Conductors part (C), Parts
Item no.: 1696794
Polka
Ernst Mosch und seine Original Egerländler Musikanten
for: Small wind band
Conductors part, set of parts
Item no.: 1559489
Polka
for: Concert band
Score (C)
Item no.: 1169757
for: Concert band
Conductors part (C), Parts
Item no.: 1632267
Polka–Mazurka op. 330
for: Concert band
Conductors part (C), Parts
Item no.: 1632402
for: Concert band
Conductors part (B-flat), set of parts
Item no.: 1639394
Polka
Ernst Mosch & seine Original Egerländer Musikanten
for: Concert band [Small wind band]
Conductors part, set of parts
Item no.: 1559966
Polka mit Text
Neue böhmische Blasmusik
for: Concert band; voice ad lib.
Conductors part (C), Parts
Item no.: 1560141
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