Polka
43397
225908894
2008-07-15T23:36:10Z
JForget
1064243
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/24.18.87.85|24.18.87.85]] ([[User talk:24.18.87.85|talk]]) to last version by Qertis
[[Image:Prague Street Musicians (Polka Band).jpg|right|thumb|Street musicians in Prague playing a polka]]
The '''polka''' is a fast, lively Central European [[dance]], and also a [[musical genre|genre]] of [[dancing music|dance music]], familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in [[Bohemia]], and is still a common genre in [[Czech Republic|Czech]] and [[Slovakian]] [[folk music]]. Polka is still a very common folkmusic genre in Poland. In light classical music, many polkas were composed by both [[Johann Strauss I]] and his son [[Johann Strauss II]]; a couple of well-known ones were composed by [[Bedřich Smetana]], and [[Jaromír Vejvoda]] was the author of "Škoda lásky" ("[[Beer Barrel Polka|Roll Out the Barrel]]").
The name comes from the [[Czech language|Czech]] word ''půlka'' – literally, "little half" – a reference to the short half-steps featuring in the dance; however the word's familiar form has been influenced by the similarity to the Czech word ''polka'', meaning "Polish woman".<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=polka&searchmode=none Online Etymology Dictionary, "polka"]; [http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/polka Compact Oxford English Dictionary, "polka"]</ref> The name has led to the dance's origin being sometimes mistakenly attributed to Poland. It should also not be confused with the [[Polska (dance)|''polska'']], a [[Sweden|Swedish]] {{audio|3-4_rhythm_metre_meter_time_measure.ogg|3/4-beat}} dance with Polish roots; cf. [[polka-mazurka]]. A related dance is the [[redowa]]. Polkas have a {{audio|2-4_rhythm_metre_meter_time_measure.ogg|2/4}} [[Metre (music)|time signature]]. [[Popular music]] has also been parodied by [[Weird Al Yankovic]] in the style of polka several times.
==Styles==
There are various styles of contemporary polka. Of the US types, the North American "Polish-style polka" has roots in [[Chicago]]; two styles can be classified, as 'Chicago honky', using clarinet and one trumpet, and 'Chicago push' featuring accordion, [[Chemnitzer concertina]], bass, drums, and (almost always) two trumpets. North American "[[Slovenian-style polka]]" is fast and features piano [[accordion]], chromatic accordion, and/or [[diatonic button accordion]], and is associated with [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]]. North American "Dutchman-style" features an [[oom-pah]] sound, often with a [[tuba]], and has roots in the American [[Midwest]]. "[[Conjunto]]-style" polcas have roots in Northern [[Mexico]] and [[Texas]], and is also called "[[Norteño (music)|Norteño]]". Traditional dances from this region reflect the influence of polka-dancing European immigrants. In the 1980s and 1990s several bands began to combine polka with various [[rock and roll|rock]] styles, sometimes referred to as "[[Punk rock|punk]] polka", "[[alternative rock|alternative]] polka" or "[[San Francisco]]-style". "Duranguense" polka from [[Durango]] is another Mexican type of music. This uses electric guitars, violins, drums, saxophones, trombones, keyboards, trumpets and a tuba-keyboard or a bass guitar, it is in a rapid beat. Artists like Grupo Montez De Durango, Alacranes Musical, Horoscopos De Durango, Conjunto Atardecer, K-paz De La Sierra. Irish traditional music has also adopted the polka into its repertory, and there it has come into its own distinct flavor.
There also exist Peruvian polcas. In the [[pampas]] of Argentina, the "polca" has a very very fast beat, with a 3/4 compass. Instruments used: acoustic guitar (usually six strings, but sometimes seven strings), electric or acoustic bass (sometimes fretless), accordion (sometimes piano accordion, sometimes button accordion), and sometimes some percussion is used. The lyrics always praise the [[gaucho]] warriors from the past or tell about the life of the [[gaucho]] campeiros (provincial gauchos who keep the common way).
==The polka in the classical repertoire==
[[Bedřich Smetana]] incorporated the polka in his opera ''[[The Bartered Bride]]'' ({{lang-cz|'''Prodaná nevěsta'''}}) and in particular, Act 1.
While the polka is Bohemian in origin, most dance music composers in [[Vienna]] (the capital of the vast [[Habsburg]] [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]], which was the cultural centre for music from all over the empire) composed polkas and included the dance in their repertoire at some point of their career. The [[Strauss]] family in Vienna for example, while probably better-known for their [[waltz]]es also composed polkas which have survived obscurity. [[Josef Lanner]] and other Viennese composers in the 19th century also wrote many polkas to satiate the demands of the dance music-loving Viennese. In [[France]], another dance-music composer [[Emile Waldteufel]] also wrote many polkas in addition to his chief profession of penning waltzes.
The polka evolved during the same period into different styles and tempi. In principle, the polka written in the 19th century has a 4-theme structure; themes 1A and 1B as well as a 'Trio' section of a further 2 themes. The 'Trio' usually has an 'Intrada' to form a break between the two sections. The feminine and graceful 'French polka' (polka française) is slower in tempo and is more measured in its gaiety. Johann Strauss II's [[Annen Polka]] op. 114, [[Demolirer]] polka op. 269, the [[Im Krapfenwald'l]] op. 336 and the [[Bitte schön!]] polka op. 372 are examples of this type of polka. The [[polka-mazurka]] is also another variation of the polka, being in the tempo of a [[mazurka]] but danced in a similar manner as the polka. The final category of the polka dating around that time would be the 'polka schnell' which is a fast polka or ''[[galop]]''. It is in this final category [[Eduard Strauss]] is better known, as he penned the 'Bahn Frei' polka op. 45 and other examples. Earlier, [[Johann Strauss I]] and Josef Lanner wrote polkas which are either designated as a ''galop'' (quick tempo) or as a regular polka which may not fall into any of the categories described above.
The polka was also a further source of inspiration for the Strauss family in Vienna when it was written only for plucked string instruments ([[pizzicato]]) resulting in the well-known 'Pizzicato Polka' jointly written by Johann II and Josef Strauss. Johann II also wrote a later 'New Pizzicato Polka' (Neu Pizzicato-Polka) op. 449 culled from music of his [[operetta]] 'Fürstin Ninetta'. Much earlier, he also wrote a 'joke-polka' ([[German language|German]] "scherz-polka") entitled 'Champagne-Polka' op. 211 which evokes the uncorking of champagne bottles.
Other composers who wrote music in the style of the polka were [[Jaromír Weinberger]], [[Dmitri Shostakovich]] and [[Igor Stravinsky]].
==Organizations in the United States of America==
The [[International Polka Association]] based in [[Chicago]], USA works to preserve the cultural heritage of polka music and to honor its musicians through the Polka Hall of Fame.
The United States Polka Association based in Cleveland, Ohio serves to promote polka music and honor musicians. This organization is similar to the IPA.
The newest polka organization in the USA is [http://www.polkaamericacorporation.org Polka America Corporation] based out of Ringle, Wisconsin. This newest organization promotes all genres and dedicates itself to supporting all levels in the polka field.
[[Grammy Awards]] were first presented for polka in 1985. The first award went to America's Polka King, [[Frank Yankovic]], for his "70 Years of Hits" album on [[Cleveland International Records]], produced by [[Joey Miskulin]] and Dragutin Razum in 1986. [[Cleveland International Records]] had another Polka [[Grammy]] winner with [[Brave Combo's]] Polkasonic in 1999. Other Polka [[Grammy]] nominees on [[Cleveland International Records]] include Frank Yankovic's "America's Favorites" (1986), "Songs of the Polka King Vol. I" (Produced by [[Joey Miskulin]] and Slavko Slivovitz, 1996), "Songs of the Polka King Vol. II" (1997), and [[Brave Combo's]] "Kick Ass Polkas" (2000). [[Jimmy Sturr]] & His Orchestra is arguably the most popular polka band in America, having won 17 out of the 23 [[Grammy Awards]] given for [[Grammy Award for Best Polka Album]].
''Polka Varieties'' was an hour-long television program of polka music originating from [[Cleveland, Ohio]]. It was the only television program for this type of music in the US. From 1956 to 1975, ''Polka Varieties'' ran solely in [[WEWS-TV]], Cleveland, on Sunday afternoons from 1:00 to 2:00, and was syndicated during its later years to 30 television markets. The program featured various popular Polish, Slovenian, Italian, and Bohemian-style bands. America's "Polka King" Frank Yankovic was the original band to perform on the show. Other bands included Richie Vadnal, George Staiduhar, Markic-Zagger, and Hank Haller. Original host Tom Fletcher was replaced by Paul Wilcox, whose presence became an indelible part of the show.[http://www.newsnet5.com/newschannel5/913419/detail.html]
==Samples==
*[[Media:JennyLind.ogg|Download a recording]] of "Jenny Lind", a polka from the Library of Congress' ''California Gold: Northern California Folk Music from the Thirties Collection''; performed by John Selleck (violin) on [[October 2]], [[1939]] in [[Camino, California]]
*Listen to [[Media:stereo-Sing Me Back Home.ogg|Sing Me Back Home]] by [http://www.joestankycadets.com Joe Stanky & the Cadets] of [[Nanticoke, Pennsylvania]].
*[[Doctor N. Gin]] has a polka theme in ''[[Crash of the Titans]]''; it is presumed that N. Gin has a Austrian ancestry.
==List of polka artists, past and present==
{{Cleanup|date=August 2007}}
* [[Eläkeläiset]]
* [[Slavko Avsenik]]
* [[Eddie Blazonczyk]], The Versatones
* [[Jeff Pecon]], [[Don Wojtila]], [[Eddie Rodick]], [[Bob Kravos]], and [[Eric Noltkamper]], bandleaders and standard-bearers of present-day Cleveland-style polka music
* [[Johnny Pecon]]
* [[Lou Trebar]]
* [[Johnny Vadnal]]
* [[Eddie Habat]]
* [[Kenny Bass]]
* [[Bob Timko]]
* [[Joe Fedorchak]], popular Cleveland-style bandleader and disc jockey from [[Youngstown, OH]]
* [[Dick Tady]], [[Jack Tady]], [[Fred Gregorich]], and [[Sam Pugliano]], renowned Cleveland-style musicians and bandleaders from western PA
* [[Frankie Spetich]]
* [[Frankie Kramer]]
* [[Stan Blout]]
* [[John Bowden]], alternative, modern polka style. Known for his originality
* [[Brave Combo]], alternative, two-time [[Grammy Award]] winner
* [[Tom Brusky]], award-winning Cleveland-style band from [[Milwaukee, WI]]
* [[Finntroll]] (Note: This is not a standard polka band. On their Trollhammaren EP they combined elements of both Polka and [[heavy metal]], to create a Folk-Metal-Polka sounding album.)
* [[Myron Floren]]
* [[FreezeDried]]
* [[Walt Groller]]
* [[Haunted Cologne]]
* [[Walter Jagiello]] - [[Li'l Wally]]
* [[Marion Lush]]
* [[The Knewz]]
* [[Global Kryner]], Austrian band/pop/jazz/polka
* [[Harold Loeffelmacher]], Dutchman/Oompah
* [[Loituma]]
* [[The Mad Maggies]] (Ska Polka) (California)
* [[Walter Ostanek]], [[Canada]], three-time [[Grammy Award]] winner, Slovenian-Canadian
* [[Polkacide]], San Francisco punk-polka band
* [[Polkaholix|POLKAHOLIX]] (Berlin Speed Polka) (Germany)
* [[The Mike Schneider Polka Band]], [[Slovenian-style polka]] band from [[Milwaukee, WI]]
* [[Jimmy Sturr]], [[United States]], fifteen [[Grammy Award]]s
* [[Lawrence Welk]]
* [["Weird Al" Yankovic]] (A majority of his studio albums include a polka medley of current popular music)
* [[Frankie Yankovic]], Slovenian-American
* [[Bobby Jones]], Bobby Jones Czech Band
* [[Mojo Nixon]] In the company of Skip Roper
* [[Ramón Ayala y Sus Bravos Del Norte]]
* [[Los Cadetes de Linares]]
* [[Tony de la Rosa]]
* [[Carlos y José]]
* [[Los Dos Gilbertos]]
* [[Mingo Saldívar]]
==See also==
* [[Austrian folk dancing]]
* [[polska (dance)|polska]] 3/4-beat Nordic folk dance
* [[polonaise]] - 3/4 -beat slow dance of Polish origin
* [[polka-mazurka]] - 3/4-beat dance, musically similar to the [[mazurka]]
* [[Banda music|Banda Music]] - [[Banda music|Country Music]] performed in Spanish to a Polka beat.
* [http://www.polkavideos.com/polkadancers.html Video Of Present Day Polka Dancers] via the website [http://www.polkavideos.com Polka Videos]
* [[Beer Barrel Polka]]
* [[Polka in Modern Society]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.clevelandstyle.com/ National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame]
* [http://www.internationalpolka.com/ International Polka Association and Hall of Fame]
* [http://mtcn.free.fr/mtcn-traditional-music-midi-dance-couple.php#polka Polka as a traditional dance from the County of Nice, France]
* [http://www.polkaamericacorporation.org Polka America Corporation]
* [http://www.wisconsinpolkamusic.com Wisconsin Polka Music]
* [http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/logicrouter/servlet/LogicRouter?PAGE=object&OUTPUTXSL=object_enc36ui.xslt&pm_RC=REPOMODS04&pm_OI=55&pm_GT=Y&pm_IAC=Y&api_1=GET_OBJECT_XML&num_result=0 Queensland Sugar-Cane Polka music score] - digitised and held by State Library of Queensland, Australia.
[[Category:Polka| ]]
[[Category:Dance in Austria]]
[[Category:Czech loanwords]]
[[Category:Symbols of Wisconsin]]
[[ca:Polca]]
[[cs:Polka]]
[[da:Polka]]
[[de:Polka]]
[[et:Polka]]
[[es:Polca]]
[[eo:Polko]]
[[fr:Polka]]
[[fur:Polche]]
[[it:Polka]]
[[nl:Polka]]
[[ja:ポルカ]]
[[no:Polka]]
[[pl:Polka]]
[[pt:Polca]]
[[fi:Polkka]]
[[sv:Polka]]
[[uk:Полька]]
[[zh:波尔卡]]