Václav Pichl (1741-1805)
- Sinfonia in B-Dur 'Melpomene', ZakP 14
Performers: Tοrοntο Chamber Orchestra; Kevin Mаllοn (conductor)
Painting: Bernardo Bellotto (1722-1780) - The Liechtenstein Garden Palace in Vienna, seen from the East
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Bohemian composer and violinist. His earliest education was at the
Jesuit school in his hometown with the cantor Jan Pokorny, followed
thereafter by study at St. Václav in Prague. In 1762 he was appointed
first violin at the Týn Church, even as he studied law at Prague
University. He was appointed concertmaster at the court of the
Archbishop of Grosswardein (now Oradea, Romania), serving under Michael
Haydn, and when that orchestra dissolved in 1769 he returned to Prague
to serve as music director with Count Ludwig Hartig. At the same time he
began regularly visiting Vienna, where he also performed at the court
theatre there. In 1777 his reputation was such that he was appointed
music director in Milan for Archduke Ferdinand, a position he retained
until the French invasion in 1796. While there he became a member of the
Accademia filarmonica, as well as serving occasionally in cities such
as Monza and Padua. The remainder of his life was spent commuting
between Prague and Vienna. As a composer, Pichl was extremely prolific,
with over 900 compositions. His style was similar to colleagues in
Vienna, such as Michael Haydn, Jan Křtitel Vanhal, and Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart, with clear contrasting themes, interesting harmonies, colorful
orchestration, and solid formal structures. He left over 14 operas or
Singspiels; 30 Masses; 100 sacred works such as Psalms, motets, and
offertories; 90 symphonies; 20 serenades; 30 concertos (for most
instruments, but mainly violin); 18 string quartets; 45 string trios; 12
trios for flute and strings; two trio sonatas; over 200 exercises for
solo violin; 15 duets for two violins; 18 duets for violin and viola;
three flute and three clarinet quartets; and over 180 chamber pieces,
including works for the baryton. He must be regarded as one of the major
composers of the last half of the 18th century.
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