Jan Zach
Encyclopedia
Jan Zach was a Czech
composer
, violin
ist 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 since about 1756.
, 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 in 1720–27. 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 oragnist 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 at the court of Johann Friedrich Karl von Ostein
, Prince-Elector
of Mainz
. He visited Italy
in 1746 and, briefly, Bohemia in 1747.
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 1771–72, 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.
, 28 string sinfonia
s, 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. Zach was equally adept at strict counterpoint
and the style galant
, and was also influenced by Czech folk music. Zach was fond of chromatic
modulations
. Scholar Johann Branberger, writing in the early 20th century, noted Zach's preference for "chromatic, and often exotic, themes."
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).
Czech people
Czechs, or Czech people are a western Slavic people of Central Europe, living predominantly in the Czech Republic. Small populations of Czechs also live in Slovakia, Austria, the United States, the United Kingdom, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Russia and other countries...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist and organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
. Although he was a gifted and versatile composer capable of writing both in Baroque
Baroque music
Baroque music describes a style of Western Classical music approximately extending from 1600 to 1760. This era follows the Renaissance and was followed in turn by the Classical era...
and Classical idioms, his eccentric personality led to numerous conflicts and lack of steady employment since about 1756.
Life
Zach was born in ČelákoviceCelákovice
Čelákovice is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It is located on the Labe river, 25 kilometers from Prague. The population is about 10,000. The town is part of the Prague metropolitan area....
, Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
into a wheelwright
Wheelwright
A wheelwright is a person who builds or repairs wheels. The word is the combination of "wheel" and the archaic word "wright", which comes from the Old English word "wryhta", meaning a worker or maker...
's family. In 1724 he moved to Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
and started working as violinist at St Gallus and at St Martín. According to Dlabacž, he studied organ under Bohuslav Matěj Černohorský
Bohuslav Matej Cernohorský
Bohuslav Matěj Černohorský was a Czech composer, organist and teacher of the baroque era...
, who lived in Prague in 1720–27. 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 oragnist at St. Vitus Cathedral
St. Vitus Cathedral
Saint Vitus' Cathedral is as a Roman Catholic cathedral in Prague, and the seat of the Archbishop of Prague. The full name of the cathedral is St. Vitus, St. Wenceslas and St. Adalbert 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
Augsburg
Augsburg is a city in the south-west of Bavaria, Germany. It is a university town and home of the Regierungsbezirk Schwaben and the Bezirk Schwaben. Augsburg is an urban district and home to the institutions of the Landkreis Augsburg. It is, as of 2008, the third-largest city in Bavaria with a...
and then on 24 April 1745 he was appointed Kapellmeister at the court of Johann Friedrich Karl von Ostein
Johann Friedrich Karl von Ostein
Johann Friedrich Karl von Ostein was the Prince-Bishop of Worms, Archbishop of Mainz and Elector of Mainz.He was a relative of Lothar Franz von Schönborn, a prior Archbishop-Elector of Mainz. On April 22, 1743 he was selected as a compromise candidate for Archbishop...
, Prince-Elector
Archbishopric of Mainz
The Archbishopric of Mainz or Electorate of Mainz was an influential ecclesiastic and secular prince-bishopric in the Holy Roman Empire between 780–82 and 1802. In the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy, the Archbishop of Mainz was the primas Germaniae, the substitute of the Pope north of the Alps...
of Mainz
Mainz
Mainz under the Holy Roman Empire, and previously was a Roman fort city which commanded the west bank of the Rhine and formed part of the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire...
. He visited Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in 1746 and, briefly, Bohemia in 1747.
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 1771–72, and may have worked as choirmaster at the Pairis Abbey
Pairis Abbey
Pairis Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery in Orbey in Haut-Rhin, Alsace, northeastern France. The surviving building serves today as a nursing home.-History:The abbey was founded in 1138 by the Count of Eguisheim....
in Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
. He stayed several times at the Stams Abbey at Stams
Stams
Stams is a municipality in the Imst district and is located 18.50 km east of Imst, 7 km west of Telfs and 46 km west of Innsbruck on the southern shore of the Inn River...
, Tyrol
County of Tyrol
The County of Tyrol, Princely County from 1504, was a State of the Holy Roman Empire, from 1814 a province of the Austrian Empire and from 1867 a Cisleithanian crown land of Austria-Hungary...
, where he may have had connections, and served as music teacher at the Jesuit school in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, for several brief periods of time. The last mentions of Zach in contemporary sources indicate that in January 1773 he was at the Wallerstein
Wallerstein
Wallerstein is a surname, which can refer to:* Immanuel Wallerstein , U.S. sociologist* Jim Wallerstein , guitarist and vocalist* Michael Wallerstein , political scientist* Robert S...
court, and according to the Frankfurt
Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
Kayserliche Reichs-Ober-Post-Amts-Zeitung of 5 June 1773 he died on a journey, at Ellwangen
Ellwangen
Ellwangen an der Jagst, officially Ellwangen , in common use simply Ellwangen is a town in the district of Ostalbkreis in the east of Baden-Württemberg in Germany...
. Zach was buried in the local church of St Wolfgang.
Works
Zach's surviving oeuvre comprises a wealth of both instrumental and sacred music: some 30 massesMass (music)
The Mass, a form of sacred musical composition, is a choral composition that sets the invariable portions of the Eucharistic liturgy to music...
, 28 string sinfonia
Sinfonia
Sinfonia is the Italian word for symphony. In English it most commonly refers to a 17th- or 18th-century orchestral piece used as an introduction, interlude, or postlude to an opera, oratorio, cantata, or suite...
s, 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
Baroque music
Baroque music describes a style of Western Classical music approximately extending from 1600 to 1760. This era follows the Renaissance and was followed in turn by the Classical era...
style to the emerging Classical music era ideals. Zach was equally adept at strict counterpoint
Counterpoint
In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent . It has been most commonly identified in classical music, developing strongly during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period,...
and the style galant
Galante music
A new style of classical music, fashionable from the 1720s to the 1770s, was called Galante music. It consciously simplified contrapuntal texture and intense composing techniques that realized a pattern on the page and substituted a clear leading voice with a transparent accompaniment....
, and was also influenced by Czech folk music. Zach was fond of chromatic
Chromaticism
Chromaticism is a compositional technique interspersing the primary diatonic pitches and chords with other pitches of the chromatic scale. Chromaticism is in contrast or addition to tonality or diatonicism...
modulations
Modulation (music)
In music, modulation is most commonly the act or process of changing from one key to another. This may or may not be accompanied by a change in key signature. Modulations articulate or create the structure or form of many pieces, as well as add interest...
. Scholar Johann Branberger, writing in the early 20th century, noted Zach's preference for "chromatic, and often exotic, themes."
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
A thematic catalogue of Zach's work was published by K.M. Komma in 1938 (K numbers); since then more works were found, and some were catalogued by A. Gottron and W. Senn in 1955 (GS numbers).Sacred vocal
- 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 1737–40 and now lost
Ensemble
- 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)
Harpsichord
- 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
- 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)
- Fugue in G minor (GS A1)
Further reading
- Komma, Karl Michael. 1938. Johann Zach und die tschechischen Musiker im deutschen Umbruch des 18. Jahrhunderts (Kassel, 1938).
- Kottron, Adam, and Senn, Walter. 1955. Johann Zach, Kurmainzer Hofkapellmeister: Nachträge und Ergänzungen zum thematischen Verzeichnis seiner Kompositionen, Mainzer Zeitschrift, i (1955), 81–94.