SKU: A0.1033890

     Jaromir Vejvoda, born in 1902 in the Czech city of Zbraslav, was a fiddler and flugelhorn player. As a young man, he began writing music while working as a bartender. In 1927 he composed a particularly rollicking, toe-tapping tune. He persuaded the Czech-American composer Eduard Ingriš to write an arrangement for the piece, and the result was titled "ModÅ™anská polka" (ModÅ™any being the Prague suburb in which it was first performed). In 1934 Václav Zeman added lyrics, and the title changed to "Škoda lásky," Czech for “Wasted Love.” It also became known as “Rosamunde.” The public loved it. It was so successful that Vejvoda was able to quit tending bar and turn full time to music. The polka soon spread to other countries. Lew Brown and Wladimir Timm added English lyrics, and when the Andrews Sisters recorded it in 1939 as “Beer Barrel Polka,” it became one of their biggest hits. During World War II it was the favorite song of the Western Allies and has since been played and recorded by literally dozens of artists.

     Suggested tempo for this brass quintet “Škoda lásky” is 120 BPM. It opens in C major, changes to F major, then back to C. All five instruments get a chance to shine. There are no really tricky rhythmic patterns, and the notes are, for the most part, within the normal playing range of each instrument. Some possible exceptions: Trombone’s highest notes are F above the staff; it’s lowest, G at the bottom; Tuba’s highest notes are F in the staff; Trumpet 2’s highest are its G at the top of its staff.

     Completed in 2022, performance time runs about 3 minutes. The arranger, Les Smith, will be happy to provide substitute parts (for example, treble clef baritone for trombone) at no charge. He would also like to receive your suggestions, comments, corrections and criticisms. Contact him directly at lessmith61@bellsouth.net. For more arrangements by Les, enter "Sweetwater Brass Press" (without the quotation marks) in the search box. (Also, purchase of this piece entitles you to your choice of another of his arrangements at no charge; send a copy of your purchase receipt directly to him at lessmith61@bellsouth.net.)