Reicha, Antonín

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Reicha, Antonín (b Prague, 1770; d Paris, 1836). Bohemian, later Fr., composer and flautist. Flautist in Bonn Elector's orch., 1785–94, becoming friend of Beethoven. Lived in Hamburg 1794–9, Paris 1799–1802, Vienna 1802–8, 1808 Paris, becoming prof. of comp. at Paris Cons. from 1818 (pupils incl. Berlioz, Liszt, Franck, and Gounod). Wrote 16 operas; 2 syms.; Scènes italiennes for orch.; octet for str. and wind; 24 wind quintets; 20 str. qts.; 24 hn. trios; 12 vn. sonatas; and numerous other chamber works. Remembered almost exclusively for his frequently-played wind quintets, nearly the first of their kind. His Art du compositeur dramatique (1833) influenced several 19th cent. opera composers, incl. Meyerbeer.

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Reicha, Antonín

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