The Circus Tune Everyone Knows

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Clark, Maribeth

Keywords

Circus, Circus Music, Music, Fucik, Julius

Area of Concentration

Music

Abstract

"Entry of the Gladiators" is one of the most well known circus pieces of all time. However, its origins are known to few. Far from being intended for the American circus, it was composed for the Austro-Hungarian military band. How is it, then, that this piece has attained and maintained such popularity in the circus? I believe the answer lies in the structure of the typical American circus as well as the structure of Entry of the Gladiators. Circuses are structured very carefully in order to maximize the positive emotions the acts evoke in the audience. Entry of the Gladiators has a similar structure, while still maintaining its identity as a coherent circus march. Through extensive analysis of both, I show that the changes in style and presentation heard in Entry of the Gladiators parallel those that can be seen in the American circus.

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