Kittl, Johann Friedrich (Jan Bedrrich)

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Kittl, Johann Friedrich (Jan Bedřrich)

Kittl, Johann Friedrich (Jan Bedřrich), prominent Bohemian composer; b. Castle Worlik, May 8, 1806; d. Lissa, German Poland, July 20, 1868. He studied law at the Univ. of Prague, and took private lessons in piano with Zavora and in composition with Tomaschek. His Jagdsinfonie was premiered by Spohr (Kassel, 1839), and subsequently performed widely in Germany. He was director of the Prague Cons. (1843–65). He was a friend of Liszt, Wagner, and Berlioz. As a symphonic composer, he pointed the way to Dvořráak.

Works

dramatic:Opera: Daphnis’ Grab (Prague, 1825; not extant); Die Franzosen vor Nizza (Prague, Feb. 19, 1848; written to Wagner’s libretto Bianca und Giuseppe); Waldblume (Prague, 1852); Die Bilderstürmer (Prague, 1854). orch.: 4 syms: No. 1 (1836), No. 2, Jagdsinfonie (1837; Kassel, 1839), No. 3 (1841–42), and No. 4 (1857; Prague, July 7, 1858); 3 concert overtures. other: Choral works; chamber music; piano pieces; songs.

Bibliography

W. Neumann, J.F.K. (Kassel, 1857); E. Rychnovsky, J.F. K. (2 vols., Prague, 1904-05); M. Tarantovâ, J.F.K. (Prague, 1948).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire