Music of a wonderful world

Polka masterpieces. Recommended popular songs.

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

Are you familiar with “polka,” a Czech folk music genre with a simple, friendly melody and a fast tempo that makes you want to move your body? Even if you don’t know the name of the genre, many people will recognize it when they hear a famous polka tune.

In Japan, it has even been featured for children on the TV program Minna no Uta, and interestingly, some polka songs became well-known in the 2000s through Flash animations and performances by Hatsune Miku.

This article is a collection of delightful polka classics—please enjoy them together with your children!

Polka masterpieces. Recommended popular songs (21–30)

Beer Barrel Polka

Water Firefighting Pageant ◆ Tokyo Fire Department Band ◆ Beer Barrel Polka

Beer Barrel Polka

“Beer Barrel Polka” is known as a work by Czech composer Jaromír Vejvoda.

It is said to have become widely known as “Beer Barrel Polka” upon the publication of the English lyrics.

This is a performance by the Tokyo Fire Department Band at the Harumi Passenger Ship Terminal.

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“Polka” from Two Pieces for String Quartet

Two Pieces for String Quartet: Polka

“Polka” from Two Pieces for String Quartet

Polka, the second piece from Two Pieces for String Quartet.

Composer: Dmitrii Shostakovich.

Written in 1931 for the Jean Villiome String Quartet of Kharkov.

Performed by the Aurelia String Quartet.

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Demolition Polka

Josef Strauss – Feuerfest (Polka francaise, op. 269)

Demolition Polka

Demolierer-Polka (Demolition Polka), Op.

269, composed by Johann Strauss II.

This work was composed to reflect the demolition of Vienna’s city walls and the construction of major roads.

Performed by the Chernihiv Philharmonic Academic Symphony Orchestra.

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Polka from Czech Suite

Dvořák: Czech Suite – Polka Yasuhiro Natsume (pf)

Polka from Czech Suite

Polka, the second movement from Czech Suite in D major, Op.

39 (Czech Suite/Böhmische Suite).

The Czech Suite is a five-movement orchestral suite composed by Antonín Dvořák.

This is a performance of the “Polka” in its piano solo version, from Mr.

Yasuhiro Natsume’s recital.

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New Pizzicato Polka

Neue Pizzicato Polka

New Pizzicato Polka

Johann Strauss II, Pizzicato-Polka (Neue Pizzicato-Polka), Op.

449.

Composed as an intermezzo for the operetta Die Herzogin von Naxos (La duchessa di Ninetta), to be played pizzicato by the strings.

Performed by the Bruges Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Ivan Meylemans.

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