František Brixi

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