ANTOINE REICHA  

Antoine Reicha, born Antonn Rejcha in Prague, moved in adolescence with his family to Bonn, playing violin and flute under his uncle in the court orchestra in which Beethoven also served. In 1794 he moved to Hamburg, extending further his interests, teaching and composing. In 1799 he tried for operatic success in Paris, but when this failed he moved to Vienna, renewing acquaintance with Beethoven and Haydn. Here he won considerable success, returning to Paris once more in 1808, where he enjoyed esteem as a composer and, above all, as a teacher at the Conservatoire, including among his pupils Berlioz and Liszt, and, for a short time, Csar Franck. He was the author of a number of important theoretical treatises.

Stage Music

Reicha wrote operas and Singspiel. These are seldom if ever performed.

Orchestral Music

Reicha was as prolific in the composition of orchestral music as in other genres, with a series of symphonies, overtures and concertos.

Chamber Music

It is for his chamber music that Reicha is particularly remembered and performed, notably for his two dozen or so wind quintets. He wrote for varied combinations of instruments, including a series of quartets and quintets for a wind instrument with string quartet.

Piano Music

Much of Reichas piano music is primarily of pedagogical interest, as, for example, Lart de varier (The Art of Variation), written in Vienna for Prince Louis Ferdinand, whom he served as teacher and Kapellmeister.

Operas

Reichas operas can be of only historical interest, with three of them providing examples for his Art du compositeur dramatique (Art of the Dramatic Composer) a guide to the contemporary technique of operatic composition.

Vocal and Choral Music

Among many choral and vocal works by Reicha are settings of the Requiem and other liturgical and sacred texts. Secular works include a setting of Brgers romantic ballad Lenore.