Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/165



hile the Bohemians have always endeavoured to contribute their share to the advancement of art and science, it is in the department of music that they have won a most distinguished place in the front rank of civilized nations. In this art, Bohemian have been prominent from ancient times; not only as composers but as solo and orchestral performers on all kinds of musical instruments. As the space allowed for this topic is limited we must content ourselves with giving but a short sketch of musical history from the early part of the sixteenth century.

At this time we meet with the remarkably fine choral compositions of Jan Trojan Turnovský, whose works chiefly written for the service of the church, were mainly in the form of sacred songs and anthems written for male voices. Some years his junior, was Krištof Harant z Polžic whose works exhibit marks of the influence of Palestrina—particularly in his harmonies. Their contemporary was Jan Blahoslav (1524—1571) author of the first book on musical theory published in Bohemia. He was of the Bohemian Brethern under whose auspices much good work was accomplished. During this period the choral singing of the male voice choirs reached a high standard of excellence.