Julius Fučík (pronounced "Foo-chick") was a Czech
composer who lived from 1872 – 1916 and was a
conductor of military bands. Today his marches are
still played as patriotic music in the Czech Republic.
However, his worldwide reputation rests on this one
work: the Opus 68 march, the Entrance of the Gladiators
(Vjezd gladiátorů), which is universally
recognized, often under the title "Thunder and Blazes",
as one of the most popular theme tunes for circus
clowns.
"Entrance of...(+)
Julius Fučík (pronounced "Foo-chick") was a Czech
composer who lived from 1872 – 1916 and was a
conductor of military bands. Today his marches are
still played as patriotic music in the Czech Republic.
However, his worldwide reputation rests on this one
work: the Opus 68 march, the Entrance of the Gladiators
(Vjezd gladiátorů), which is universally
recognized, often under the title "Thunder and Blazes",
as one of the most popular theme tunes for circus
clowns.
"Entrance of the Gladiators" or "Entry of the
Gladiators" was originally titled it "Grande Marche
Chromatique," reflecting the use of chromatic scales
throughout the piece, but changed the title based on
his personal interest in the Roman Empire.
SHEET MUSIC