Short bio Jan Dismas Zelenka
Birthday:
1679 in Loucovice, Czech Republic
Died:
1745 in Dresden, Germany
Genre:
Classical
Period:
Baroque
Full biography Jan Dismas Zelenka
Jan Dismas Zelenka was a Czech composer and musician of the Baroque period , born on 16 October 1679 and baptized as Jan Lukáš Zelenka. He was known for his harmonically rich and sophisticated musical language, which was admired by contemporaries such as Johann Sebastian Bach.
Zelenka began his music career as a bass player in Prague, before moving to Dresden, Germany, in 1710 to work as a musician at the Catholic court chapel. He eventually became the Kapellmeister, or director of music, in 1733, a position he held until his death in 1745.
Zelenka's compositions included both sacred and secular music, including operas, orchestral works, and chamber music. His sacred works were particularly notable for their intricate counterpoint and rich harmonies. He was also known for his innovative use of instrumentation, including the use of bass instruments such as the double bassoon and the violone.
Despite his talents, Zelenka's music was not widely known or appreciated during his lifetime, and his works fell into obscurity for many years after his death. It was not until the 20th century that his music began to be rediscovered and appreciated by modern audiences and musicians.
Today, Zelenka is recognized as one of the most original and innovative composers of his time, and his music remains popular among enthusiasts of Baroque music. His works are noted for their complexity, sophistication, and emotional depth, and his contributions to the musical world have earned him the title of the "Czech Bach".
Compositions featuring Jan Dismas Zelenka
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Litaniæ Lauretanæ "Consolatrix afflictorum," for soprano, chorus, instruments & continuo in G major, ZWV 151 | 21:21 min | Choral | 1744 |
| 2 | Litaniæ Lauretanæ "Salus infirmorum," for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in F major, ZWV 152 | 27:41 min | Choral | 1741 |
| 3 | Missa Omnium Sanctorum for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in A minor, ZWV 21 | 50:08 min | Choral | 1741 |
| 4 | Christe eleison for alto, 2 violins, viola & continuo in E minor, ZWV 29 | 6:19 min | Choral | 1740 |
| 5 | Missa Dei Filii for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in C major, ZWV 20 | 41:57 min | Choral | 1740 |
| 6 | Missa Dei Patris for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in C major, ZWV 19 | 70:01 min | Choral | 1740 |
| 7 | Missa Votiva for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in E minor, ZWV 18 | 72:25 min | Choral | 1739 |
| 8 | Miserere (Psalm 50) for soprano, chorus, instruments & continuo in C minor, ZWV 57 | 15:05 min | Choral | 1738 |
| 9 | Ave Regina coelorum, antiphons (6) for chorus & continuo, ZWV 128 | Choral | 1737 | |
| 10 | I penitenti al Sepolcro del Redentore, oratorio for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo, ZWV 63 | 69:35 min | Choral | 1736 |
| 11 | Missa Sanctissimæ Trinitatis for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in A minor, ZWV 17 | 58:09 min | Choral | 1736 |
| 12 | Gesù al Calvario, oratorio for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo, ZWV 62 | 133:08 min | Choral | 1735 |
| 13 | Litaniæ Omnium Sanctorum, for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in A minor, ZWV 153 | 32:49 min | Choral | 1735 |
| 14 | Barbara dira effera, motet for alto, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 violins, viola & continuo in F major, ZWV 164 | 16:13 min | Choral | 1733 |
| 15 | Office of the Dead for Elector Friedrich August I, for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo, ZWV 47 | 61:15 min | Choral | 1733 |
| 16 | Requiem for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in D major, ZWV 46 | 39:51 min | Choral | 1733 |
| 17 | Missa Sancti Josephi for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in D major, ZWV 14 | 39:01 min | Choral | 1731 |
| 18 | Te Deum for soloists, double chorus, instruments & continuo in D major, ZWV 146 | 27:58 min | Choral | 1731 |
| 19 | Alma Redemptoris Mater, antiphon for alto, 2 flutes, 2 violins, viola ad lib. & continuo in D major, ZWV 126 | 10:10 min | Choral | 1730 |
| 20 | Il Serpente del bronzo, cantata for soloists, double chorus, instruments & continuo, ZWV 61 | Choral | 1730 | |
| 21 | Lætatus sum (Psalm 121), for soprano, alto, instruments & continuo in A major, ZWV 90 | 21:18 min | Choral | 1730 |
| 22 | Missa "Gratias agimus tibi" for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in D major, ZWV 13 | Choral | 1730 | |
| 23 | Requiem for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in D minor, ZWV 48 | 41:51 min | Choral | 1730 |
| 24 | Salve Regina, antiphon for soprano, flute, 2 oboes, 2 violins, viola & continuo in A minor, ZWV 135 | 18:58 min | Choral | 1730 |
| 25 | Sollicitus fossor, motet for voice & continuo in D major, ZWV 209 (attributed) | 11:28 min | Vocal Music | 1730 |
| 26 | Benedictus sit Deus Pater for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in D major, ZWV 207 (doubtful) | 2:15 min | Choral | 1729 |
| 27 | Capriccio for 2 horns, 2 oboes, bassoon, strings & continuo No. 5 in G major, ZWV 190 | 16:25 min | Chamber Music | 1729 |
| 28 | Confitebor tibi Domine (Psalm 110), for bass, 2 oboes, 2 violins, viola & organ in C minor, ZWV 71 | 9:19 min | Choral | 1729 |
| 29 | Laudate pueri Dominum (Psalm 112), for tenor (or soprano), instruments & organ in D major, ZWV 81 | 7:45 min | Choral | 1729 |
| 30 | Litaniæ de Sancto Xavero, for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in F major, ZWV 156 | 27:11 min | Choral | 1729 |
| 31 | Missa Divi Zaverii for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in D major, ZWV 12 | 44:17 min | Choral | 1729 |
| 32 | Sub tuum præsidium, antiphons (10) for chorus & continuo, ZWV 157 | Choral | 1729 | |
| 33 | In exitu Israel (Psalm 113) for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in G minor, ZWV 84 | 5:29 min | Choral | 1728 |
| 34 | Memento Domine David (Psalm 131), for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in E flat major, ZWV 98 | 12:49 min | Choral | 1728 |
| 35 | Missa Circumcisionis Domini Nostri Jesu Christi for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in D major, ZWV 11 | 40:20 min | Choral | 1728 |
| 36 | Sanctus for chorus & continuo in D minor, ZWV 36 | 5:12 min | Choral | 1728 |
| 37 | Sanctus, Agnus Dei for chorus & continuo in G minor, ZWV 34 | 5:56 min | Choral | 1728 |
| 38 | Alma Redemptoris Mater, antiphon for soprano, 2 violins & continuo in A major, ZWV 123 | 7:41 min | Choral | 1727 |
| 39 | De profundis (Psalm 129), for tenor, bass, chorus, 2 violins, viola & organ in C minor, ZWV 96 | 10:53 min | Choral | 1727 |
| 40 | Litaniæ de Venerabili Sacramento, for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in C major, ZWV 147 | 20:50 min | Choral | 1727 |
| 41 | Magnificat for soprano, chorus, instruments & continuo in C major, ZWV 107 | 11:21 min | Choral | 1727 |
| 42 | Dixit Dominus (Psalm 109), for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in D major, ZWV 68 | 11:29 min | Choral | 1726 |
| 43 | Missa Nativitatis Domini for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in D major, ZWV 8 | 34:25 min | Choral | 1726 |
| 44 | Regina coeli, antiphon for 2 sopranos, alto, 2 oboes, 2 violins, viola & continuo in F major, ZWV 134 | 3:51 min | Choral | 1726 |
| 45 | Chvalte Boha silného, motet for bass, instruments & continuo in G major, ZWV 165 | 11:00 min | Choral | 1725 |
| 46 | Laudate pueri Dominum (Psalm 112) for bass, chorus, 2 violins, viola & organ in F major, ZWV 82 | 7:28 min | Choral | 1725 |
| 47 | Magnificat for soprano, alto, chorus, instruments & continuo in D major, ZWV 108 | 9:58 min | Choral | 1725 |
| 48 | Credo for double chorus, instruments & continuo in F major, ZWV 32 | 9:29 min | Choral | 1724 |
| 49 | De profundis for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in D minor, ZWV 50 | 13:06 min | Choral | 1724 |
| 50 | Gloria for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in F major, ZWV 30 (revision of Gloria from ZWV 2) | 24:27 min | Choral | 1724 |
| 51 | Te Deum for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in D major, ZWV 145 | Choral | 1724 | |
| 52 | Aestimatus sum, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/26 | 5:07 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 53 | Amicus meus, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/4 | 4:35 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 54 | Animam meam dilectam, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/15 | 5:51 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 55 | Astiterunt reges terrae, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/25 | 3:03 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 56 | Caligaverunt oculi mei, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/18 | 5:20 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 57 | Concerto à 8 Concertanti for oboe, bassoon, 2 violins, viola, cello & continuo in G major, ZWV 186 | 16:44 min | Concerto | 1723 |
| 58 | Ecce quomodo moritur justus, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/24 | 4:32 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 59 | Ecce, vicimus eum, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/3 | 8:45 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 60 | Eram quasi agnus innocens, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/7 | 4:33 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 61 | Hipocondrie à 7 Concertanti, for 2 oboes, bassoon, 2 violins, viola & continuo in A major, ZWV 187 | 8:59 min | Orchestral | 1723 |
| 62 | In monte oliveti, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/1 | 4:04 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 63 | Jerusalem, surge, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/20 | 3:33 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 64 | Jesum tradidit impius, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/17 | 4:31 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 65 | Judas mercator pessimus, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/5 | 4:17 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 66 | O magnum mysterium, motet for alto, 2 flutes ad lib., 2 violins, viola & continuo in E major, ZWV 171 | 6:05 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 67 | O vos omnes, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/23 | 2:55 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 68 | Omnes amici mei, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/10 | 4:44 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 69 | Overture à 7 Concertanti, for 2 oboes, bassoon, 2 violins, viola & continuo in F major, ZWV 188 | 21:53 min | Orchestral | 1723 |
| 70 | Plange quasi virgo, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/21 | 5:27 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 71 | Recessit pastor noster, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/22 | 3:41 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 72 | Responsoria (27) pro hebdomada sancta, for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55 | 112:30 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 73 | Seniores populi, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/9 | 4:06 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 74 | Sepulto Domino, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/27 | 3:18 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 75 | Sicut ovis, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/19 | 3:17 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 76 | Simphonie à 8 Concertanti for 2 oboes, bassoon, 2 violins, viola, cello & continuo in A minor, ZWV 189 | 24:07 min | Orchestral | 1723 |
| 77 | Sub olea pacis: Melodrama de Sancto Wenceslao, for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo, ZWV 175 | 94:57 min | Opera | 1723 |
| 78 | Tamquam ad latronem existis, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/13 | 3:52 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 79 | Tenebræ factæ sunt, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/14 | 6:20 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 80 | Tradiderunt me, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/16 | 4:19 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 81 | Tristis est anima mea, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/2 | 5:50 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 82 | Una hora, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/8 | 6:53 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 83 | Unus ex discipulis meis, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/6 | 4:24 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 84 | Velum templi scissum est, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/11 | 3:42 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 85 | Vinea mea electa, response for soloists, chorus & instruments, ZWV 55/12 | 4:46 min | Choral | 1723 |
| 86 | Fanfares (6) for trumpets & timpani ("Reiterfanfaren," doubtful), ZWV 212 | 2:23 min | Chamber Music | 1722 |
| 87 | Kyrie, Sanctus, Agnus Dei for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in D minor, ZWV 26 | 11:37 min | Choral | 1722 |
| 88 | Lamentationes (6) pro hebdomada sancta, for soloists & chorus ("Lamentationes Jeremiæ prophetæ"), ZWV 53 | 34:00 min | Choral | 1722 |
| 89 | Trio Sonata for 2 oboes, bassoon & continuo No. 1 in F major, ZWV 181/1 | 16:23 min | Chamber Music | 1721 |
| 90 | Trio Sonata for 2 oboes, bassoon & continuo No. 2 in G minor, ZWV 181/2 | 19:40 min | Chamber Music | 1721 |
| 91 | Trio Sonata for 2 oboes, bassoon & continuo No. 4 in G minor, ZWV 181/4 | 19:58 min | Chamber Music | 1721 |
| 92 | Trio Sonata for 2 oboes, bassoon & continuo No. 5 in F major, ZWV 181/5 | 16:26 min | Chamber Music | 1721 |
| 93 | Trio Sonata for 2 oboes, bassoon & continuo No. 6 in C minor, ZWV 181/6 | 15:16 min | Chamber Music | 1721 |
| 94 | Trio Sonata for oboe, violin, bassoon & continuo No. 3 in B flat major, ZWV 181/3 | 15:40 min | Chamber Music | 1721 |
| 95 | Trio Sonatas (6) for 2 oboes, bassoon & continuo, ZWV 181 | 36:57 min | Chamber Music | 1721 |
| 96 | Capriccio for 2 horns, 2 oboes, bassoon, strings & continuo No. 2 in G major, ZWV 183 | 12:44 min | Chamber Music | 1718 |
| 97 | Capriccio for 2 horns, 2 oboes, bassoon, strings & continuo No. 3 in F major, ZWV 184 | 16:41 min | Chamber Music | 1718 |
| 98 | Capriccio for 2 horns, 2 oboes, bassoon, strings & continuo No. 4 in A major, ZWV 185 | 22:53 min | Chamber Music | 1718 |
| 99 | Capriccio for 2 horns, 2 oboes, bassoon, strings & continuo No. 1 in D major, ZWV 182 | 14:37 min | Chamber Music | 1717 |
| 100 | Capriccios (5) for 2 horns, 2 oboes, bassoon, strings & continuo, ZWV 182-185, 190 | 91:32 min | Chamber Music | 1717 |
| 101 | Deus Dux fortissime, for soloists, double chorus, 2 violins, viola & continuo, ZWV 60 | 22:05 min | Choral | 1716 |
| 102 | Attendite et videte, for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo, ZWV 59 | 23:01 min | Choral | 1712 |
| 103 | Immisit Dominus pestilentiam, for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo, ZWV 58 | 20:13 min | Choral | 1709 |
| 104 | Benedictus, for chorus, ZWV deest | 1:27 min | Choral | - |
| 105 | Mass in D major, ZWV 23 (doubtful) | 32:07 min | Choral | - |
| 106 | Requiem for soloists, chorus, instruments & continuo in C minor, ZWV 45 | 37:56 min | Choral | - |
| 107 | Salve Regina, antiphon for chorus, 2 oboes, 2 violins, viola & continuo in A minor, ZWV 137 | 5:39 min | Choral | - |
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