The 19th century stands for industrialization, change and revolution throughout Europe, but also for the struggle for national identity and self-determination. Against the background of forced Germanization, and the suppression of an independent Czech culture in the German, Austrian, Hungarian region, composers such as Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák embodied Czech Romanticism in the music world. Browse our sheet music and scores, and explore all the wonderful music by Czech romantic composers today.
The struggle for a true Czech national identity became the decisive engine driving change in Czech society and culture. Music proved to be an excellent instrument for expressing this new national movement, and was perfected by the most important representatives of Czech romanticism:
One of the greatest Czech nationalist composers Bedřich Smetana was actually born into a German family, and baptized “Friedrich”. As a young man he spoke only a little Czech. It was this ’German Czech’ who became the founder of Czech national music, and also the conductor of the Czech National Theater in Prague. The programmatic cycle of the symphonic poems “My Fatherland” with the movement Vltava is known to every schoolchild in the Czech Republic today.
Just as Smetana contributed to the formation of a national identity within the Czech region, Antonín Dvořák was also instrumental in the popularization of Czech music around Europe and further afield. Dvořák is arguably the most famous Czech composer of all time, and one of the few who became famous in Europe, Russia and the USA during his lifetime. Dvořák’s music is characterized by a combination of precise compositional craftsmanship and unique Slavic melodies. Dvořák’s Symphonies and symphonic poems are part of the core repertoire of all orchestras around the world today.
More influential yet lesser-known Czech romantic composers include Zdeněk Fibich and Josef Suk. Take a look at Piano Works by Zdeněk Fibich and Chamber Music by Josef Suk, which are real hidden gems.
aus: Biblische Lieder
Harmony parts (complete winds)
Item no.: 238087
for: Oboe, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 303475
for: Violin, orchestra
Partitur, Leineneinband
Item no.: 114587
for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet)
Set of parts
Item no.: 114538
Choir part Tenor 2
Item no.: 104125
Piano reduction
Item no.: 103974
for: Piano
Item no.: 103960
für Soli, gemischten Chor und Orchester
Stimmensatz
for: 2 soloists (SB), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra
Set of parts (Orchestra)
Item no.: 675371
for: 4 string instruments
Study score
Item no.: 1355903
Ab
for: Piano
Piano Solo
Item no.: 1554592
Orchesterfassung
for: 4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra, organ
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 237027
for: Piano
Item no.: 103939
Arrangement for Soloists, Choir and Chamber Orchestra
for: 4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir (SATB), chamber orchestra
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 642348
Book
Item no.: 1634170
Musik im Trio 11
for: Treble recorder, violin, cello
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1008700
für Soli, gemischten Chor und Orchester
Kontrabass
for: 2 soloists (SB), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra
Double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 675370
for: Accordion orchestra
Set of parts
Item no.: 1136687
for: Flute, oboe, string orchestra
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 1351792
Ouvertüreop. 25
for: Salon orchestra
Set of parts
Item no.: 1111871
for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet)
Study score
Item no.: 164777
aus "Zigeunermelodien"op. 55/7
for: Voice (high), piano
Item no.: 1539100
in der 1. Lage
Edition Schott
for: Violin, piano
Single part(n)
Item no.: 357634
for: Piano
Ensemble score
Item no.: 1535100
Second Movement
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1647236
Book
Item no.: 767831
1. "Why do sweet songs?"
for: Mixed choir (SATB) a cappella
Choir score
Item no.: 742447
for: Women's choir (SA), piano
Choir score
Item no.: 1002100
for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet)
Score
Item no.: 646066
for: Voice (low), piano
Book
Item no.: 1007033
for: Symphonic orchestra
Score
Item no.: 114179
for: Concert band
Score
Item no.: 1059607
for: Symphonic orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1211727
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Score
Item no.: 1109003
for: Concert band
Score
Item no.: 1642612
for: Concert band
Score
Item no.: 1001132
for: Fanfare
Score
Item no.: 873099
for: Symphonic orchestra
Set of parts
Item no.: 803662
Poster
Item no.: 1017799
for: Concert band
Score
Item no.: 1021009
(Urtext)
for: Symphonic orchestra
Cello (orchestral part)
Item no.: 375025
for: Soloists, mixed choir, orchestra
Set of parts
Item no.: 1109002
für Orchester
Viola
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Symphonic orchestra
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 678258
Harmonia-Men's Choir
for: Male choir (TTBB), piano
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 911684
for: String orchestra
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1593914
Second Movement - Menuetto
for: String orchestra
Set of parts
Item no.: 1593906
aus: Biblische Lieder
Harmony parts (complete winds)
Item no.: 238131