František Brixi

František Xaver Brixi (January 2, 1732 – October 14, 1771) was a famous Czech Classical composer of the 18th century. His first name is sometimes given, by reference works, in its Germanic form: "Franz".

Biography

Brixi was born in Prague, the son of composer Simon Brixi. He received his musical education at the "Piarist Gymnasium" in Kosmonosy. His teachers included Václav Kalous, a significant composer himself.

In 1749 Brixi left Kosmonosy and returned to Prague, where he worked as an organist at several churches. In 1759 he was appointed "Kapellmeister" of St Vitus Cathedral, thus attaining, at the age of only 27, the highest musical position in the city; this office he held till his early death. He wrote some 290 church works (of the most varied type), cantatas and oratorios, chamber compositions, and orchestral compositions. His organ concertos, which have been recorded several times each, are his best-known pieces today.

tyle

Brixi's style is distinguished from that of his contemporaries by its fresh melodic writing, vivacious rhythm and lively bass lines, and from that of his predecessors by its simple yet effective instrumentation. During his lifetime his music was widely disseminated in Bohemia and Moravia.

Important compositions

* "Missa integra d minor"
* "Opus patheticum de septem doloribus Beatae Marae Virginis"
* "Concerto in D major"
* "Judas Iscariothes" - "Oratorium pro die sacro Parasceves"
* "Missa solemnis D major" - mass for solo, choir, orchestra and organ
* "Litanie de seto Benedieto"
* "Confiteor Tibi Domine"
* "Sinfonia in D"
* "Bitevní sinfonie"
* "Fuga in a minor"
* "Pastoral in C major"
* "Preludium C major"
* "Regina coeli"

External links

* [http://zivotopisyonline.cz/frantisek-xaver-brixi.php František Brixi]