Composer of the Month 11/2010: Johann Joseph Fux   (selected by Peter van Dessel / Belgium)

Austria 3.5.1985 Johann Joseph Fux (* 1660 in Hirtenfeld near Graz) was appointed organist in Vienna in 1696. In 1701 he became Kapellmeister of St Stephen’s cathedral and in 1711 he attained one of the highest musical posts in Europe: director of music at the imperial court in Vienna. His wide-ranging musical oeuvre consists of many operas, masses, requiems, vespers, psalms, oratorios and suites. But more important than his musical compositions are his theoretical works. Fux’s composition treatise “Gradus ad Parnassum” was published in 1725. This Latin textbook on the principles of composition greatly influenced the ‘Viennese School’ and remained the most important treatise on counterpoint into the 20th century. Johann Joseph Fux died in Vienna on February 13th 1741. 2010 marks his 350th birth anniversary. The video shows Fux' "Rondeau in C for Piccolo , Bassoon and Strings" played by Roy Goodman and the Brandenburg Consort . More composers in the members only section