Historical Configurations of Czech Bagpipes Bands in the Production of Conterporary Folklore Ensembles

Chamber instrument configurations of bagpipes, a violin and a clarinet in various variations are in the Czech regions documented latest from the 19th century. Exclusive position is taken by a so-called small country music band, trio of (short) violin, bagpipes tuned to e-flat and e-flat clarinet, the score of which was recorded by Ludvik Kuba in the region of Chodsko in the 1890s. The contribution comments on sustainability of these historical configurations in modern musical work, changes in their function and new utilisation of the compositions and arrangements for various bagpipes bands in repertoire as well as on stage productions of folk groups and bands from Southwest Bohemia. A dominant position in the environment of folkloristic movement - also thanks to a long-standing media performance of Konrady Bagpipes Music Band from the town of Domazlice - is held by a configuration of big bagpipes band with a double bass and contra violin. More often that earlier, however, we hear on the recordings and see at concerts and festivals a duo of bagpipes - violin, or the above mentioned ‘country’ trio. A novelty originating from the environment of folklore groups is a genre of virtuoso compositions for solo bagpipes, or even for two or three bagpipes. An interesting outcome of the current research is acknowledgement of the above standard knowledge most creative personalities of the modern bands show as far as historical sources of Czech bagpipes music are concerned, which is a promise of a quality presentation of the cultural heritage and sustainability of their artistic and popularisation activities