Chapter 13. Czech Music in Wisconsin

Audio Examples

Owl Polka
This tune is a good example of the way Czech polka traditions in America have tended to emphasize fairly elaborate arrangements. The widespread availability of sheet music for band arrangements of Czech folk music from the Vitak-Elsnic publishing company of Chicago helped to establish a tradition of using introductory passages before the main melody and bridges between the parts of the tune. The onomatopoetic singing of the owl's hoot is appealing. Performed by Clete Bellin (piano, vocals), John Widow (trumpet), Joe Jerabek (tuba), Mike Hager (trumpet), Diana Schroeder (accordion), Bill Jerabek (drums, vocal, harmony).
(Smithsonian Folkways Recordings album #40088 1998)

Little Vagabond Waltz
The little vagabond in this song seems to be a personification of a wandering or unfaithful heart who jilted a village girl. Performed by Clete Bellin (piano), John Widow (trumpet), Joe Jerabek (tuba), Mike Hager (trumpet), Diana Schroeder (accordion), Bill Jerabek (drums, vocal, harmony).
(Smithsonian Folkways Recordings album #40088 1998)

Around the Moon
This polka features lyrics in Czech and English which refers to a folk weather belief important to Czech farmers in the Old World and the New.
Performed by Clete Bellin (piano, vocals), John Widow (trumpet), Joe Jerabek (tuba), Mike Hager (trumpet), Diana Schroeder (accordion), Bill Jerabek (drums, vocal, harmony).
(Smithsonian Folkways Recordings album #40088 1998)

The audio excerpts heard here and were compiled, annotated and produced by Richard March and released on a Smithsonian Folkways Recording titled Deep Polka: Dance Music from the Midwest. The notes included here were taken from the liner notes also written by Richard March which accompany the recording.

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