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Jan Zach

January 01, 1970

Jan Zach, called in German Johann Zach (baptized 26 November 1713 – 24 May 1773) was a Czech composer, violinist and organist. Although he was a gifted and versatile composer capable of writing both in Baroque and Classical idioms, his eccentric personality led to numerous conflicts and lack of steady employment from about 1756 onwards.

Jan Zach

Life edit

Zach was born in Dehtáry near Brandýs nad Labem, Bohemia into a wheelwright's family. In 1724 he moved to Prague and started working as violinist at St Gallus and at St Martín. According to Dlabacž, he studied organ under Bohuslav Matěj Černohorský, who lived in Prague from 1720 to 1727. Zach's career as organist started at St Martín, and by 1737 he was also playing the organ at the monastic church of the Merciful Brethren and the Minorite chapel of St Ann. In 1737 he competed for the position of organist at St. Vitus Cathedral, but was not successful. Details of what happened next are unknown: he was reported to have left Bohemia, but apparently remained in Prague at least until 1740. By early 1745 he was living in Augsburg and then on 24 April 1745 he was appointed Kapellmeister of the Electoral orchestra at the court of Johann Friedrich Karl von Ostein, Prince-Elector of Mainz. He visited Italy in 1746 and, briefly, Bohemia in 1747.[1]

Zach evidently had a complex and eccentric personality, which led to numerous conflicts that plagued his life at Mainz. He was suspended from his position in 1750 and finally dismissed in 1756. From that point on it appears that Zach never again had steady employment. He traveled through Europe and supported himself financially by performing and selling copies of his works, teaching, dedicating his compositions, and so on. He visited numerous courts and monasteries in Germany and Austria, stayed in Italy in 1767 and between 1771 and 1772, and may have worked as choirmaster at the Pairis Abbey in Alsace. He stayed several times at the Stams Abbey at Stams, Tyrol, where he may have had connections, and served as music teacher at the Jesuit school in Munich, for several brief periods of time. The last mentions of Zach in contemporary sources indicate that in January 1773 he was at the Wallerstein court, and according to the Frankfurt Kayserliche Reichs-Ober-Post-Amts-Zeitung of 5 June 1773 he died on a journey, at Ellwangen. Zach was buried in the local church of St Wolfgang.[1]

Works edit

A comprehensive list of works has not been completely established. Toward the end of his life, Zach gave numerous compositions to the monks at the Cistercian monastery at Stams. These manuscripts comprise the largest repository of Zach's works in the world.[2]

Zach's surviving oeuvre comprises a wealth of both instrumental and sacred music: some 30 masses, 28 string sinfonias, a dozen keyboard works and other pieces. Due to the nature of Zach's life it is difficult to establish a precise chronology. His work reflects the transition from the old Baroque style to the emerging Classical music era ideals. With multiple influences of the Italian composers, whose music had made it to Prague, trips to Italy, access to the famous textbook of Johann Joseph Fux, Gradus ad Parnassum, Czech folk music, and a strong organ technique, Zach was equally adept at strict counterpoint and the style galant.[1] In addition, Zach was fond of adventurous chromatic modulations. The scholar Johann Branberger, writing in the early 20th century, noted Zach's preference for "chromatic, and often exotic, themes."[3]

The Harpsichord Concerto in C minor (K C17) exemplifies the transition from the Baroque to Galant style that took place throughout the 18th century. While this particular concerto demonstrates qualities from both styles, it tends more toward the modern. It is in three movements that follow the typical fast - slow - fast format of the Galant Concerti. Although the harmonic minor tonality and austere melody of the opening ritornello is reminiscent of Bach, the tone quickly turns sweeter with the entrance of the second theme. Typical of the Galant style, the harmony moves slowly with the underlying pulse carried by repeated eighth notes. The melodic content often consists of light flourishes in groupings of two or four measures, and the diatonic sequences are short and plain. The Baroque style most often emerges in the keyboard part with complex, chromatic, and virtuosic patterns. Furthermore, the counterpart between keyboard and orchestra is more intricate than what would be normally expected in the Galant style.

Only a few of Zach's pieces were published during his lifetime: a harpsichord sonata (in Oeuvres mêlées, v/6 (Nuremberg, 1759)), a harpsichord concerto (Nuremberg, 1766; GS C13), and the collection Sei sonate for harpsichord and violin or flute (Paris, 1767).

List of works edit

A thematic catalogue of Zach's work was published by K.M. Komma in 1938 (K numbers);[4] since then more works were found, and some were catalogued by A. Gottron and W. Senn in 1955 (GS numbers).[5]

Sacred vocal edit

  • 33 masses (K B1–16, GS B1–11, 14–15, and four in CZ-Pnm)
  • miscellaneous single mass movements (K B32–3, GS B13, and others)
  • 3 requiems (K B17–18, GS B12)
  • 10 offertories (K B20–21, GS B 16–20, 41, and two in Pnm)
  • various arias, hymns, motets, vespers settings, etc., including four musicae navales, opp.1–4, dating from 1737 to 1740 and now lost

Instrumental edit

Ensemble edit

  • 3 sinfonias à 3, for 2 violins and basso continuo (K C1–2, GS C12)
  • 6 sinfonias à 4, for 2 violins, viola, and basso continuo (K C3–5, 14, 19)
  • 19 sinfonias for strings and woodwinds (K C6–12, 13, 15–17, 20–22, GS C1–4, 11)
  • 5 partitas for strings and woodwinds (GS C5–9)
  • Parthia in D major, for 2 oboes, 2 horns, and 2 bassoons
  • Sinfonia for harpsichord, 2 violins, viola, and basso continuo (K C18)
  • 6 harpsichord concertos (K C26, GS C13–16, 17)
  • 6 flute concertos (K C23–5, GS C19–21)
  • Oboe Concerto (GS C22)
  • Cello Concerto (GS C18)
  • Sei sonate, for harpsichord and violin or flute (Paris, 1767)
  • 3 trio sonatas, for 2 violins and basso continuo (GS C23–4, and one more
  • Partita in C major (GS C25)
  • Sonata in A major (GS C26)
  • Capriccio in C minor (GS C27)
  • [Movement] in A major (GS C28)

Organ edit

  • Prelude in C minor (K A1)
  • Prelude in D major(K A2)
  • Prelude in A-flat major K A3)
  • Fugue in C minor (K A4)
  • Fugue in A minor (K A5) (= a work of Joseph Lipavsky 1772 -1810)
  • Fugue in G minor (GS A1)
  • Fugue in D minor (= a work of Joseph Lipavsky 1722 - 1810)

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c Jan Zach: Biography with Worklist and Discography.
  2. ^ Concerti Für Flöte, Oboe, Cello, Cembalo. Liner notes.
  3. ^ Newmarch 1942, 28.
  4. ^ Komma 1938.
  5. ^ Gottron, Senn 1955.

References edit

  • Newmarch, Rosa. 1942. The Music of Czechoslovakia. Oxford University Press. Available online.
  • Poštolka, Milan (2001). "Jan Zach". In Sadie, Stanley; Tyrrell, John (eds.). The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 978-1-56159-239-5.‎
  • Zach, Johann. Concerti Für Flöte, Oboe, Cello, Cembalo. Barocksolisten München. Tiroler Landes Museen. CD13017. 2014. Liner notes.

Further reading edit

  • Komma, Karl Michael. 1938. Johann Zach und die tschechischen Musiker im deutschen Umbruch des 18. Jahrhunderts (Kassel, 1938). (in German)
  • Kottron, Adam, and Senn, Walter. 1955. Johann Zach, Kurmainzer Hofkapellmeister: Nachträge und Ergänzungen zum thematischen Verzeichnis seiner Kompositionen, Mainzer Zeitschrift, i (1955), 81–94. (in German)

External links edit

January 01, 1970
zach, called, german, johann, zach, baptized, november, 1713, 1773, czech, composer, violinist, organist, although, gifted, versatile, composer, capable, writing, both, baroque, classical, idioms, eccentric, personality, numerous, conflicts, lack, steady, empl. Jan Zach called in German Johann Zach baptized 26 November 1713 24 May 1773 was a Czech composer violinist and organist Although he was a gifted and versatile composer capable of writing both in Baroque and Classical idioms his eccentric personality led to numerous conflicts and lack of steady employment from about 1756 onwards Jan Zach Contents 1 Life 2 Works 3 List of works 3 1 Sacred vocal 3 2 Instrumental 3 2 1 Ensemble 3 2 2 Organ 4 Notes 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External linksLife editZach was born in Dehtary near Brandys nad Labem Bohemia into a wheelwright s family In 1724 he moved to Prague and started working as violinist at St Gallus and at St Martin According to Dlabacz he studied organ under Bohuslav Matej Cernohorsky who lived in Prague from 1720 to 1727 Zach s career as organist started at St Martin and by 1737 he was also playing the organ at the monastic church of the Merciful Brethren and the Minorite chapel of St Ann In 1737 he competed for the position of organist at St Vitus Cathedral but was not successful Details of what happened next are unknown he was reported to have left Bohemia but apparently remained in Prague at least until 1740 By early 1745 he was living in Augsburg and then on 24 April 1745 he was appointed Kapellmeister of the Electoral orchestra at the court of Johann Friedrich Karl von Ostein Prince Elector of Mainz He visited Italy in 1746 and briefly Bohemia in 1747 1 Zach evidently had a complex and eccentric personality which led to numerous conflicts that plagued his life at Mainz He was suspended from his position in 1750 and finally dismissed in 1756 From that point on it appears that Zach never again had steady employment He traveled through Europe and supported himself financially by performing and selling copies of his works teaching dedicating his compositions and so on He visited numerous courts and monasteries in Germany and Austria stayed in Italy in 1767 and between 1771 and 1772 and may have worked as choirmaster at the Pairis Abbey in Alsace He stayed several times at the Stams Abbey at Stams Tyrol where he may have had connections and served as music teacher at the Jesuit school in Munich for several brief periods of time The last mentions of Zach in contemporary sources indicate that in January 1773 he was at the Wallerstein court and according to the Frankfurt Kayserliche Reichs Ober Post Amts Zeitung of 5 June 1773 he died on a journey at Ellwangen Zach was buried in the local church of St Wolfgang 1 Works editA comprehensive list of works has not been completely established Toward the end of his life Zach gave numerous compositions to the monks at the Cistercian monastery at Stams These manuscripts comprise the largest repository of Zach s works in the world 2 Zach s surviving oeuvre comprises a wealth of both instrumental and sacred music some 30 masses 28 string sinfonias a dozen keyboard works and other pieces Due to the nature of Zach s life it is difficult to establish a precise chronology His work reflects the transition from the old Baroque style to the emerging Classical music era ideals With multiple influences of the Italian composers whose music had made it to Prague trips to Italy access to the famous textbook of Johann Joseph Fux Gradus ad Parnassum Czech folk music and a strong organ technique Zach was equally adept at strict counterpoint and the style galant 1 In addition Zach was fond of adventurous chromatic modulations The scholar Johann Branberger writing in the early 20th century noted Zach s preference for chromatic and often exotic themes 3 The Harpsichord Concerto in C minor K C17 exemplifies the transition from the Baroque to Galant style that took place throughout the 18th century While this particular concerto demonstrates qualities from both styles it tends more toward the modern It is in three movements that follow the typical fast slow fast format of the Galant Concerti Although the harmonic minor tonality and austere melody of the opening ritornello is reminiscent of Bach the tone quickly turns sweeter with the entrance of the second theme Typical of the Galant style the harmony moves slowly with the underlying pulse carried by repeated eighth notes The melodic content often consists of light flourishes in groupings of two or four measures and the diatonic sequences are short and plain The Baroque style most often emerges in the keyboard part with complex chromatic and virtuosic patterns Furthermore the counterpart between keyboard and orchestra is more intricate than what would be normally expected in the Galant style Only a few of Zach s pieces were published during his lifetime a harpsichord sonata in Oeuvres melees v 6 Nuremberg 1759 a harpsichord concerto Nuremberg 1766 GS C13 and the collection Sei sonate for harpsichord and violin or flute Paris 1767 List of works editA thematic catalogue of Zach s work was published by K M Komma in 1938 K numbers 4 since then more works were found and some were catalogued by A Gottron and W Senn in 1955 GS numbers 5 Sacred vocal edit 33 masses K B1 16 GS B1 11 14 15 and four in CZ Pnm miscellaneous single mass movements K B32 3 GS B13 and others 3 requiems K B17 18 GS B12 10 offertories K B20 21 GS B 16 20 41 and two in Pnm various arias hymns motets vespers settings etc including four musicae navales opp 1 4 dating from 1737 to 1740 and now lost Instrumental edit Ensemble edit 3 sinfonias a 3 for 2 violins and basso continuo K C1 2 GS C12 6 sinfonias a 4 for 2 violins viola and basso continuo K C3 5 14 19 19 sinfonias for strings and woodwinds K C6 12 13 15 17 20 22 GS C1 4 11 5 partitas for strings and woodwinds GS C5 9 Parthia in D major for 2 oboes 2 horns and 2 bassoons Sinfonia for harpsichord 2 violins viola and basso continuo K C18 6 harpsichord concertos K C26 GS C13 16 17 6 flute concertos K C23 5 GS C19 21 Oboe Concerto GS C22 Cello Concerto GS C18 Sei sonate for harpsichord and violin or flute Paris 1767 3 trio sonatas for 2 violins and basso continuo GS C23 4 and one more Partita in C major GS C25 Sonata in A major GS C26 Capriccio in C minor GS C27 Movement in A major GS C28 Organ edit Prelude in C minor K A1 Prelude in D major K A2 Prelude in A flat major K A3 Fugue in C minor K A4 Fugue in A minor K A5 a work of Joseph Lipavsky 1772 1810 Fugue in G minor GS A1 Fugue in D minor a work of Joseph Lipavsky 1722 1810 Notes edit a b c Jan Zach Biography with Worklist and Discography Concerti Fur Flote Oboe Cello Cembalo Liner notes Newmarch 1942 28 Komma 1938 Gottron Senn 1955 References editNewmarch Rosa 1942 The Music of Czechoslovakia Oxford University Press Available online Postolka Milan 2001 Jan Zach In Sadie Stanley Tyrrell John eds The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians 2nd ed London Macmillan Publishers ISBN 978 1 56159 239 5 Zach Johann Concerti Fur Flote Oboe Cello Cembalo Barocksolisten Munchen Tiroler Landes Museen CD13017 2014 Liner notes Further reading editKomma Karl Michael 1938 Johann Zach und die tschechischen Musiker im deutschen Umbruch des 18 Jahrhunderts Kassel 1938 in German Kottron Adam and Senn Walter 1955 Johann Zach Kurmainzer Hofkapellmeister Nachtrage und Erganzungen zum thematischen Verzeichnis seiner Kompositionen Mainzer Zeitschrift i 1955 81 94 in German External links edit Jan Zach Biography with Worklist and Discography in Italian Haendel it 2004 Retrieved 2007 12 31 Free scores by Jan Zach at the International Music Score Library Project IMSLP Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jan Zach amp oldid 1167460317, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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