A little bit of history….Czech Americans and Music (Part IX.)

Czechs immigrating to America of course brought their traditional dances and music with them along with the more sophisticated forms of art such as classical music and Czech drama. Music had always played one of the most important roles in the life of Czechs, hence the saying “Co Cech, to muzikant” (Every Czech is a musician). Music styles that the Czech Americans would perform varied from polkas to hymns and church choirs, especially those belonging to Moravian brethren. The biggest popularity in America received a dance called Polka which was originally created to honor the Polish people. Who would have ever guessed that “Skoda Lasky” will be the most played Czech song of all time (in Czech and worldwide) and will also get it’s own American name, the “Beer Barrel Dance”! (Roll out the barrel…and we’ll have a barrel of fun…) Czech Americans also became quite known as performers in orchestral associations such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra or the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Many visiting Czech artists also became quite the hit in the US in the past, namely a violin virtuoso Kubelik, an opera singer Emma Destinnova or Antonin Dvorak. Dvorak spent three years (1892-1895) in the US as a director of the New York’s National Conservatory o Music. He enjoyed his stay in America so much that he decided to spend a whole summer with his cousins within the Czech community in Spillville, Iowa. And it was there that he created his musical masterpieces such as the American Quartette and the New World Symphony. Up to this day Spillville has Dvorak’s memorial, museum and even a highway named after him (more information on Dvorak can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonin_Dvorak ). During his stay in New York Dvorak stayed at 327 East 17th Street near Perlman Place. Despite the protests from former Czech president Vaclav Havel, the house was demolished to create a new medical center there. Dvorak’s immortal statue is however still overlooking the Stuyvesant Square.

Up to this day the Czech American traditional music and dances are definitely the highlight of every Czech festival happening around the US. These performances are greatly enjoyed not only by the Czech American community but also among other Americans.

Source: http://www.czechsinamerica.wz.cz/DPW/3-Diploma%20Work.htm