Julius Fucík was a Czech composer, with over 400 marches, polkas, and waltzes to his name. As most of his work was for military bands, he is sometimes known as the 'Bohemian Sousa'. Today his worldwide reputation rests primarily on two works: 'The Florentiner March' and the march 'Einzug der Gladiatoren' (Entrance of the Gladiators).

This march was originally titled 'Grande Marche Chromatique' reflecting the use of chromatic scales throughout the piece, but he changed the title based on his p...