František Xaver Brixi (2 January 1732 – 14 October 1771) was a Czech classicalcomposer of the 18th century. His first name is sometimes given by reference works in its Germanic form, Franz.
In 1749 Brixi left Kosmonosy and returned to Prague, where he worked as an organist at several churches.[2] In 1759 he was appointed regens chori (choir director) and Kapellmeister of St. Vitus Cathedral, thus attaining, at age 27, the highest musical position in the city;[a][1] 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. He was a prolific composer of music for the liturgy, and wrote more than 100 masses,[4]vespers and motets, among others. He also composed secular music such as oratorios and incidental music, concertos and symphonies.[5][6][7] His organ concertos, which have been recorded several times each, are his best-known pieces today.
Brixi died of tuberculosis in Prague in 1771, at the age of 39.[1]
Style
Brixi was an important composer at the junction between the Baroque and Classical periods.[7]
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.[6]
Influence
Brixi's music made Prague's people receptive for Mozart's music (where Mozart was in high esteem even during times where he was shunned elsewhere).[7]
Compositions
Brixi composed 500 works, in which sacred music dominated.[1] None of his compositions were published during Brixi's lifetime.[6]
Oratorio Judas Iscariothes – Oratorium pro die sacro Parasceves (Osek c.1770)
Litanie de seto Benedieto
Confiteor tibi Domine
Bitevní sinfonie
Fuga in A minor
Pastoral in C major
Preludium In C major
Regina coeli
Notes
^In the second half of the 18th century, the ensemble at St. Vitus Cathedral consisted of nine secular choralists, nine psalm-singing priests, 32 permanent musicians and six bonifants.[clarification needed][3]
Novák, Vladimir (1969). "Zur Katalogisierung von Werken der Familie Brixi". Die Musikforschung. 22 (3). Bärenreiter: 335–337. ISSN0027-4801. JSTOR23230930.
