Julius Fučík composed 'Entrance of the Gladiators' (Czech: Vjezd gladiátorů, German: Einzug der Gladiatoren) in 1897. The piece, published in 1899 as his Op. 68, originally received the title 'Grande Marche Chromatique', indicating the use of chromatic scales as thematic material throughout the piece. He later changed the title based on his interest in the history of the Roman Empire. American publisher Carl Fischer laster printed this march in 1091, arranged for wind bands by Canadian composer Louis-Philippe Laurendeau, and under the title "Thunder and Blazes." It was after this that the piece gained popularity as a screamer circus march, often played during the introduction of the clowns. This association has persisted, and today the march is known as a circus march, with its original composer and title being relatively obscure.
