music

Antonin Dvořák

Antonin Dvořák

The Life and Compositions of Antonin Dvorak, who had a great talent for melody and including Czech culture in his music, created works of art that captivated his listeners. His life’s work began at the age of 12 when he studied harmony, the piano, and the organ to write Polka music. As his skills grew, so did his network of famous and accomplished fellow musicians, including Johannes Brahms and Tchaikovsky.

Hans Krasa and Terezin

Hans Krasa and Terezin

Born in 1899, Krasa was a young musical prodigy who composed his first songs at the age of ten. By the age of 39, he would compose his most famous song, Brundibar. By the age of 40, in 1939, the occupation of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany took place. After their occupation, Krasa was arrested by the Nazis and deported to the Terezin concentration camp, forced to compose as a part of a propagandic smokescreen.

Rock Music in Czechoslovakia

Rock Music in Czechoslovakia

The history on rock music in Czechoslovakia begins with its introduction in the early 1950s, beginning apolitically. By 1968, the apolitical aspect changed, in response to the 1968 Soviet bloc invasion, causing rock music to finally rebel and criticize the government, through satire and cryptic messaging, as the lyrics and content of rock songs were monitored.

Ride of the Kings

Ride of the Kings

Each spring, people in the Czech Republic celebrate many different events and holidays. The Ride of the Kings is one of the Czech Republic’s many unique customs. It is so deeply rooted in the history and culture of the area that it was placed on the UNESCO heritage list and has been painted, photographed, and filmed to preserve its tradition.

Czech and American Carols

Czech and American Carols

As much as we might resist them, carols help create and spread a festive spirit. These songs are popular worldwide and have a long history that dates as far back as the 15th century.

The Psychedelic Art Nouveau

The Psychedelic Art Nouveau

Throughout history and even today, there are reemerging art styles that influence different cultures and aesthetics. During the cultural upheaval of the 1960s, there was a surge of an art style that influenced band posters, album covers and even clothing. Known for its naturalistic and stylized forms, art nouveau took the hippie aesthetic by storm.