Kde Su Kravy Moje

SATB A Cappella

Posted by Natalie Cardillo | ChoralPop

🕰 Style & Background

Kde Su Krávy Moje is a traditional Czech folk song arranged for SATB choir. Translating to “Where Are My Cows?”, the piece expresses a pastoral, almost bittersweet longing for home, land, and the passing of time. This setting retains the rustic character of the original folk melody while offering singers a rich chance to explore phrasing, expression, and Slavic vowel shaping.

Folk Origin: Czech Republic
Arranged by: H.A. Schimmerling
Language: Czech
Style: Eastern European folk choral
Time Period: Traditional melody, arranged for contemporary use

💡 Why This Piece Works

Kde Su Krávy Moje offers a compelling cultural and musical learning opportunity, with a strong folk identity and rich harmonic setting. Its accessible rhythms and lyrical pacing make it especially effective for introducing foreign language diction and highlighting the emotional power of folk music. A beautiful addition to multicultural and world music programs.

🎯 Ideal for These Concerts

✅ Winter Concerts
✅ Spring Concerts
✅ Thematic Concerts (folk, homeland, memory, multicultural)
✅ World Music / Cultural Showcases
✅ Festival / Adjudication
❌ Graduation (if used thematically with reflection or longing)
❌ Pops or Holiday Concerts

🌎 Geographic Origin

• Melody: Traditional Czech

• Text: Czech language (pastoral folk theme)

• Arrangement: Contemporary choral adaptation of folk melody

🎵 Musical Characteristics

Melodic Range

• Soprano: D4–G5

• Alto: A3–C5

• Tenor: C3–F4

• Bass: G2–D4
  Tenor Accessibility: ✅ Yes – within comfortable range for treble voices
  Solo Range: None required — ensemble-based piece

Key & Tonality

• Primarily in Ab Major, with modal inflections (Mixolydian feel)
  Solfege Accessibility: Moderate — diatonic but with modal color; good for ear training

Rhythmic Complexity

• Simple duple meter (2/4 or 4/4)

• Occasional syncopation and dynamic phrasing

• Accessible rhythmically, with expressive possibilities in phrasing

Text Clarity & Diction

• Czech diction — requires pronunciation guide and IPA support

• Syllabic, flowing text with repetition

• Excellent opportunity for multicultural language practice

Harmonic Density

• Folk-inspired harmony — often open, sometimes drone-like

• Some extended chords and suspensions for expressive color

• Supports sensitive tuning and tonal listening

Form & Repetition

• Strophic or modified strophic form

• Repeated musical phrases with dynamic variation

• Easily memorizable with room for expressive shaping

📩 Price Comparison Summary

Musica International SATB Octavo (PDF) Free to view (in archive) View

Sheet Music Plus [No direct match found]

JW Pepper [No direct match found] – –