Worzischek (Voríšek), Johann Hugo (Jan Václav)

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Wořzischek (Voříšek), Johann Hugo (Jan Václav)

Wořzischek (Voříšek), Johann Hugo (Jan Václav), esteemed Bohemian composer, pianist, and organist; b. Wamberg, May 11,1791; d. Vienna, Nov. 19, 1825. He began his music studies with his father, and while still a child toured Bohemia as a keyboard prodigy. After training in law and esthetics at the Univ. of Prague (1810-13), he completed his law studies in Vienna, and also studied composition with Tomaschek in Prague. In 1813 he settled in Vienna, where he was employed in the civil service while making appearances as a keyboard artist; also received piano lessons from Hummel. From 1818 until his death he was conductor of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde; also served as asst. court organist (1822-23) and as principal court organist (from 1823). He was a friend of Schubert, and also knew Beethoven. He composed a Sym., choral works with Orch., a Piano Concerto, etc., but of more interest are his piano pieces, especially the Rhapsodies (1818) and Impromptus (1822), because Schubert was strongly influenced by them. A Piano Sonata in B minor (1820) shows kinship with Beethoven.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire