Bavarian Polka??

[thattubachick]

So my awesome tuba quartet is trying to book some Oktoberfest gigs and the response so far has been pretty good . But one venue we contacted is very strict that everything we play has to be Bavarian Style Polka

Can anyone tell me exactly what makes a polka Bavarian and if they can throw a few titles out so we can start arranging/hunting down parts? (OR even better - if you have some tuba quartet arrangements of Bavarian Polka send me a PM!!)

Thanks!

[P@rick]

Most polka's are not Bavarian, but Böhmisch, Mährisch and Egerländer polka's are the polka's what your contact most probably means by Bavarian style polka.

[Three Valves]

My those Bavarians have gotten snooty!!

[Dan Schultz]

I've been playing with the house band at our local Germania Mannerchor for about twenty years. Most of what folks regard as German or polka music has been derived from Austrian, Bavarian, or other places in the south of what is considered to be Germany by many.

There is a vast difference between the North and the South with what Germans consider 'music'. I once played a street gig in Osnabruck and an old lady was yelling and shaking her fist at us for playing what we regarded as German music... telling us to go home. Turns out that it was southern folk music that's not real popular in the North.

Why not ask your potential 'victims' for some titles? Here is another thread that addressed tuba/euphonium quartet music:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=56671

[Ben]

Great question. And my answer is: I do not know.

Anecdotally, I have been asked by a bavarian lady how I knew how to play "her" style of music on a gig. She was not amused when I informed her that I was just playing a chart. I am uncertain if it is a stylistic interpretation or a setlist that she was refering to. At the time I thought it was odd, but now I think there may be something to it.

(I grew up listening to my fathers polka band from WPAFB, and my interpretation of a chord sheet probably derived from there... No one told me how.)

I think Dan is on to something here: Ask for material to include in your setlist! (and post it here... you got me curious)

[bort]

People outside the area often think of Germans as "German." Inside Germany, many differentiate between their different areas quite distinctly.

Very true. It's no different than here in the US. Don't dare refer to a New Yorker as being from New Jersey, for example.

But really... I wonder about the authenticity of the request to the OP. Was it made by someone who truly knows and understands the difference, or are they looking for "German polkas" instead of American-style polkas? That is, perhaps the venue just wants to ensure that the event is reminiscent of Bavaria, and not Wisconsin.

[bort]

Uh, have you lived in Manhattan (or Jersey)before?

Kidding aside, I think you're right. Having been to the region before, I didn't spend enough time in Bavaria to notice it, but the differences in and between Austria and northern Italy are quite clear. Its an interesting mix of thousands of years of history, maps that have been chopped up and rearranged during/after wars, and of course a large mountain range that forms an imposing natural barrier and except for the last 100 or so years has prevented travel and sharing of cultures on a large scale.

Oom Pah ain't just Oom Pah!

[ppalan]

Here's some to get you started:
https://youtu.be/aH6A8-yvlt8?list=PL7CE414425D615BFC
https://youtu.be/5ZjnJ2tk3aI
https://youtu.be/La8g5JyoDa0
You better have this one ready too: Should be quicker than done here though)
https://youtu.be/La8g5JyoDa0
Here's music for Ein Prosit (the tune in the video just above) A-flat might be a better key for signing though.

Hope this helps. Have fun.
Pete

[swillafew]

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... rian+polka

Amazon has everything, I think.

[bort]

Uh, have you lived in Manhattan (or Jersey)before?

I actually have lived in Manhattan. Go back to Jersey, ya moron!

Gotta love it when a tongue in cheek joke backfires. Whooops!

[Yane]

I know there are variations in style, but have been fortunate to encounter audiences with native Germans appreciative of any music reminiscent of home without regard to fine distinctions of regional style. I judge the success of a German gig by how many old German ladies sing along. Other advice learned the hard way: Badonviler March is a big no-no. Badonviler was Hitler's favorite as it was the march of his WW1 regiment.

[Steve Marcus]

Besides different titles of the polkas, there are clearly stylistic differences that are evident on some YouTube performances.

One noticeable trait is that polkas that may be written in 2/4 or 4/4 are played somewhere between 2-to-a-bar and a "6/8 feel." Is this a regional element? For instance, is this indicative of an"Egerländer" polka?

Likewise, some polka performances will take great liberties with the tempo. Also, many have bass drum solos to end a section or entire polkas. Comments?

[Dan Schultz]

I had a lengthy discussion about this at the local German club last night. There are more differences in the dancing style than how the music is played.

[barry grrr-ero]

I play annually in a 20 piece Oktoberfest band: The Chico Bavarian Band. I've been in that band for four decades and I've never once heard an audience member voice any concern if a polka (or waltz) was Bavarian, Austrian, Czech or anything else. I wouldn't sweat it. Just know that things like "She's Too Fat for Me", "Pennsylvania Polk", "Who Stole the Kietschka"? (sp?) - those things are more Frankie Yankovic than anything authentic. Hope this helps.

[tbn.al]

That 6/8 feel is that restricted style I am talking about. It's not 6/8, but it almost feels like it. The bass drum solo or "punctuation" is not uncommon.

Is this what you are alluding to, Doc?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG9OudmF82w" target="_blank

[Three Valves]

I play annually in a 20 piece Oktoberfest band: The Chico Bavarian Band. I've been in that band for four decades and I've never once heard an audience member voice any concern if a polka (or waltz) was Bavarian, Austrian, Czech or anything else. I wouldn't sweat it. Just know that things like "She's Too Fat for Me", "Pennsylvania Polk", "Who Stole the Kietschka"? (sp?) - those things are more Frankie Yankovic than anything authentic. Hope this helps.

Are you saying Polish isn't "authentic??"

Watch it, fella!!

[aqualung]

Yankovic is Slovenian polkas. Cleveland style.

[Polkahero]

Yankovic is Slovenian polkas. Cleveland style.

+1 Different instrumentation, tempo, style, etc.

[tubeast]

That strange 6/8-beat has been labeled "Alpine swing" by some who earn their living performing / promoting / developing that music. (I´ve heard an "Egerländer"-tubist use that Expression). It´s supposed to imitate a horse´s slow walk rhythm.

The pro bands and those participating in contests have fun highlighting certain passages by well syncronised, extreme tempo variations. Some put their drummer in the front row, especially if they perform without conductor.

More sources of repertoire can be found at Musikverlag Rundel http://www.rundel.de/ . Also search for "Böhmischer Traum" by composer Norbert Gälle. Originally performed by "Scherzachtaler Musikanten". See if You can find a live video on Youtube. Good stuff.
Here´s another of his titles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EakyXKeh2uY Fun-to-watch conductor.

Interesting to the connoisseur: Gottlieb Weissbacher, leader of "Die Fidelen Inntaler" from Tyrolia. Composed classics like "Fuchsgraben Polka", "Martscheiner Marsch" and lots of others.

Peter Schad and his "Oberschwäbische Dorfmusikanten" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk77R56w3W4

[timothy42b]

I don't think anyone has posted this clip yet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUv76QcT_5c" target="_blank