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.
for: Horn, piano
Piano score, solo part
Item no.: 260748
in Nativitate Domini in nocte
for: Mixed choir (SATB), orchestra
Set of parts
Item no.: 1109004
Repertoire Explorer
for: Violin, orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 1344384
for: String orchestra
Set of parts
Item no.: 1201988
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1202488
Prüfungsliteratur
for: 2 Cellos and Piano
Book
Item no.: 163589
for: Piano 4 hands
Ensemble score
Item no.: 161314
für Soli, gemischten Chor und Orchester
Viola
for: 2 soloists (SB), mixed choir (SATB), orchestra
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 675368
for: 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Horns, 2 Bassoons, Double Bassoon
Score, Parts
Item no.: 889717
set of string parts
for: Symphonic orchestra
Set of parts
Item no.: 1211898
Ouvertüreop. 25
for: Orchestra
Piano part for conductor, Parts
Item no.: 1585115
Walzer
for: Accordion
Music score
Item no.: 102337
for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet)
Score, Set of parts
Item no.: 302880
for: Cello
Music score
Item no.: 1203702
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1020892
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1066447
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Violin, orchestra
Double bass (orchestral part)
Item no.: 692606
(1876/77)
for: 4 soloists (SATB), mixed choir (SSAATTBB), orchestra
Viola (orchestral part)
Item no.: 343443
für Streichorchester
Urtextausgabe
for: String orchestra
Violin 2 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 678713
for: Piano
Ensemble score
Item no.: 1535111
for: Piano
Ensemble score
Item no.: 1535095
for: 3 Blockflöten (SAT) und Klavier
Einzelstimme
Item no.: 1544644
for: Concert band
Score
Item no.: 873413
for: 2 violins, viola, 2 cellos (quintet)
Book
Item no.: 1005998
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 1005356
for: Voice, piano
Book
Item no.: 1006951
for: Violin, piano
Score
Item no.: 114149
for: Symphonic orchestra
Score
Item no.: 630020
for: Symphonic orchestra
Score
Item no.: 949657
for: Voice (high), piano
Music score
Item no.: 1007635
for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet)
Book
Item no.: 1007621
for: Voice
Choir score
Item no.: 835122
for: 2 violins, viola, cello (string quartet)
Study score (Urtext edition)
Item no.: 1615889
for: 2 violins, viola, cello
Stimmensatz, Urtextausgabe
Item no.: 1615890
Violine 1
Bärenreiter Urtext
for: Symphonic orchestra
Violin 1 (orchestral part)
Item no.: 668430
for: Choir
Choir score
Item no.: 1108893
Gyoergy Geiger - Erlebnis Trompete 23
for: Trumpet, harp [piano]
Item no.: 175832
for: 4 string instruments
Study score
Item no.: 1355904
Flex 7 Concert
for: Flexible wind ensemble (7 voices)
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1113039
for: Brass band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1144725
for: Women's Choir [SSA] and Piano
Choir score
Item no.: 1101756
for: Voice, piano
Music score
Item no.: 1200959
for: Brass band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1144705
for: Piano 4 hands
Item no.: 200281
for: Guitar
Music score
Item no.: 197349
The Great Classics
for: Concert band
Score, Parts
Item no.: 1211156
for: String orchestra
PART ST (4/4/3/2/1)
Item no.: 293844
Fuer Die Elektronische Orgel Nr 63
for: Electric organ
Item no.: 349507